A comparison between two different alveolar recruitment maneuvers in patients with acute respiratory distress...

Alveolar recruitment is a physiological process that denotes the reopening of previously gasless lung units exposed to positive pressure ventilation. The current study was aimed to compare two recruitment maneuvers, a high continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and an extended sigh in patients with ARDS.

Forty patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome were randomly divided into two groups, 20 patients each. Group I received a CPAP of 40 cm H(2)O for 40 seconds and group II received extended sigh (providing a sufficient recruiting pressure × time). In our study, we assessed the effects of both recruitment maneuvers on respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, and hemodynamics. These data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Student--Newman--Keuls post hoc comparison test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Both methods improved the compliance, increased arterial oxygenation (PaO(2)), increased the PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio, and reduced the pulmonary shunt fraction (Q(s)/Q(t)). However, the extended sigh improved both PaO(2) and PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratios more than continuous positive airway pressure. Also the hemodynamic parameters were better maintained during the extended sigh.

Alveolar recruitment maneuvers are effective in management of mechanically ventilated ARDS patients. We conclude that extended sigh is more effective than continuous positive airway pressure as a recruitment maneuver.