Airway Pressure during Mechanical Ventilation

Abstract

Thirty patients with acute respiratory failure who admitted to our ICU for mechanical ventilatory support, fifteen weaning from ventilator and fifteen died, were studied on the airway pressure relation to the prognosis.
Soon after beginning of mechanical ventilation with/without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), the mean values of peak inspiratory pressure were 34±3cmH₂O in the survivors and 32±1cmH₂O in the non-survivors, respectively. In the survivors, the effective compliance increased and the peak inspiratory pressure decreased from the first day of the treatment. But, in the non-survivors, the effective compliance and the peak inspiratory pressure did not change significantly. In this group, the mean value of the peak inspiratory pressure was 40±2cmH₂O at the day of death.
In conclusion, the prognosis of the patient whose compliance increases by the treatment is thought to be good. But, the patient without responce to the treatment in a few days is more serious, so another respiratory support such as extra-corporeal membrane exygenator will be indicated in the future.