Improved survival in ARDS patients associated with a reduction in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

The survival and ICU length of stay of 40 ARDS patients admitted to the ICU were analyzed to determine if a management strategy of lowering the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (Ppw) was associated with an increased survival or a decreased ICU length of stay. ARDS was defined as three or four quadrant alveolar filling roentgenographically, a PaO2 less than 80 mm Hg with an FIO2 greater than .5 and a Ppw less than 18 mm Hg. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included all patients in whom there was a reduction of Ppw by at least 25 percent, and group 2 included patients in whom there was no, or less than a 25 percent reduction in Ppw. Survival was statistically different between the groups with 12 of 16 group 1 patients and seven of 24 group 2 patients surviving to hospital discharge. This difference remained statistically significant after stratifying patients by age and the APACHE II severity of illness index. We conclude that this retrospective analysis supports the notion that treatment of low pressure pulmonary edema with reduction of Ppw is associated with an increased survival.