Mechanical ventilation of the healthy lungs: lessons learned from recent trials

Although there is clear evidence for benefit of protective ventilation settings [including low tidal volume and higher positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)] in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), it is less clear what the optimal mechanical ventilation settings are for patients with healthy lungs.

Use of low tidal volume during operative ventilation decreases postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). In the critically ill patients with healthy lungs, use of low tidal volume is as effective as intermediate tidal volume. Use of higher PEEP during operative ventilation does not decrease PPCs, whereas hypotension occurred more often compared with use of lower PEEP. In the critically ill patients with healthy lungs, there are conflicting data regarding the use of a higher PEEP, which may depend on recruitability of lung parts. There are limited data suggesting that higher driving pressures because of higher PEEP contribute to PPCs. Lastly, use of hyperoxia does not consistently decrease postoperative infections, whereas it seems to increase PPCs compared with conservative oxygen strategies.

In patients with healthy lungs, data indicate that low tidal volume but not higher PEEP is beneficial. Thereby, ventilation strategies differ from those in ARDS patients.