Influence of Lung Recruitment Potential on PEEP Titration Strategies in ARDS Patients.

Summary

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by severe hypoxemia and diffuse alveolar collapse, often requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Non-individualized mechanical ventilation settings can cause ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) prevents alveolar collapse, but its effect varies among individuals. The recruitment-to-inflation (R/I) ratio evaluates bedside lung recruitment potential. This pilot study aims to compare two individualized PEEP titration strategies-one guided by the best static respiratory compliance and another guided by transpulmonary pressure via an esophageal balloon-and evaluate how baseline lung recruitment potential alters the early physiological responses to these interventions. Both strategies are preceded by an identical, standardized pressure-controlled initial lung recruitment maneuver to establish a baseline recruitment state.

Conditions

• ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)

Interventions

PROCEDURE

PEEP Titration guided by Static Compliance

PEEP Titration by Static Compliance: Following the initial recruitment maneuver, an individualized PEEP decremental titration step-protocol is performed to identify the specific PEEP level that maximizes the static compliance of the respiratory system, aiming to optimize the balance between alveolar recruitment and overdistension. Initial Lung Recruitment Maneuver : Prior to individualized PEEP titration, all participants in this arm will undergo an initial standardized lung recruitment maneuver. This procedure will be executed in Pressure-Controlled Ventilation (PCV) mode, utilizing a driving/control pressure of 15 cmH2O. The recruitment process will begin at a baseline Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) of 5 cmH2O, followed by incremental steps of 5 cmH2O every 10 seconds until reaching a maximum PEEP of 25 cmH2O. A peak airway pressure limit of 40 cmH2O will be strictly maintained during the maneuver for a total duration of 1 minute.

PROCEDURE

PEEP Titration guided by Transpulmonary Pressure

PEEP Titration by Transpulmonary Pressure: Following the initial recruitment maneuver, PEEP is titrated and protocolized via real-time esophageal balloon monitoring to target and maintain a slightly positive expiratory transpulmonary pressure, minimizing cyclic alveolar collapse and overdistension. Initial Lung Recruitment Maneuver: Prior to individualized PEEP titration, all participants in this arm will undergo an initial standardized lung recruitment maneuver. This procedure will be executed in Pressure-Controlled Ventilation (PCV) mode, utilizing a driving/control pressure of 15 cmH2O. The recruitment process will begin at a baseline Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) of 5 cmH2O, followed by incremental steps of 5 cmH2O every 10 seconds until reaching a maximum PEEP of 25 cmH2O. A peak airway pressure limit of 40 cmH2O will be strictly maintained during the maneuver for a total duration of 1 minute.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospital Dr. Franco Ravera Zunino

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Francisco Cerda, RT. · Hospital Dr. Franco Ravera Zunino

• Javier Astudillo, MD. · Hospital Dr. Franco Ravera Zunino

• Jennifer Ayuso, RT. · Hospital Dr. Franco Ravera Zunino

• Rodrigo Arevalo, RT. · Hospital Dr. Franco Ravera Zunino

• Carlos Pellegrini, MD. · Hospital Dr. Franco Ravera Zunino

• Esteban Santis, RT. · Hospital Dr. Franco Ravera Zunino

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-01

Primary Completion

2027-06-30

Completion

2027-09-30