Computed tomography assessment of PEEP-induced alveolar recruitment in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is a paucity of data concerning the optimal ventilator management in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia; particularly, the optimal levels of positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) are unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of two levels of PEEP on alveolar recruitment in critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods

A single-center cohort study was conducted in a 39-bed intensive care unit at a university-affiliated hospital in Genoa, Italy. Chest computed tomography (CT) was performed to quantify aeration at 8 and 16 cmH₂O PEEP. The primary endpoint was the amount of alveolar recruitment, defined as the change in the non-aerated compartment at the two PEEP levels on CT scan.

Results

Forty-two patients were included i

SUBMITTER: Ball L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7903929 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature