Individualized PEEP titration guided by intratidal compliance profile analysis improves regional ventilation – a randomized controlled trial
Abstract Background Application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) improves lung aeration and reduces mechanical stress during mechanical ventilation. Although numerous approaches for PEEP titration have been proposed, there is no accepted strategy to titrate optimal PEEP. By analyzing the intratidal compliance profiles, PEEP may be titrated patient-individually. Methods After obtaining informed consent, we measured respiratory system mechanics, regional ventilation in 60 consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery, randomly allocated to the control group (PEEP = 5 cmH2O) or the intervention group receiving individually titrated PEEP, guided by intratidal compliance profile analysis. Primary endpoint was the frequencies of nonlinear intratidal compliance (CRS) profiles of the respiratory system (horizontal, increasing, decreasing and mixed). We further investigated respiratory and hemodynamic variables and regional ventilation. Results Frequencies of CRS profiles were comparable between the groups. Besides PEEP [control: 5.0 (0.0), intervention: 5.8 (1.1) cmH2O, p<0.001] respiratory and hemodynamic variables were comparable between the two groups. The compliance profile analysis showed no significant differences between the two groups. The loss of ventral and dorsal regional ventilation was higher in the control [ventral: 41.0 (16.3) %, dorsal: 25.9 (13.9) %] than in the intervention group [ventral: 29.3 (17.6) %, dorsal: 16.4 (12.7) %, p (ventral) = 0.039, p (dorsal) = 0.028]. Conclusions Individualized PEEP titration according to bedside compliance profile analysis improves regional ventilation without affecting respiratory and hemodynamic variables negatively and may be a promising approach to patient-individual ventilation setting.