Application of electrical impedance tomography-guided PEEP titration in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients with intra-abdominal hypertension

BACKGROUND: Individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration is a crucial technique in mechanical ventilation therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH).This study aimed to evaluate the eff ectiveness of electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-guided PEEP titration in this population.METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 36 ARDS patients, including 22 patients with IAH and 14 without IAH.All the patients underwent EIT-guided PEEP titration at the intersection point between alveolar overdistension and collapse during a decremental PEEP trial.The changes in pulmonary ventilation distribution, respiratory mechanics and hemodynamics during the titration process were observed.RESULTS: After EIT-guided PEEP titration was performed, the PEEP, peak inspiratory pressure and plateau pressure increased significantly (P0.05).The mechanical power increased in the non-IAH (NIAH) group after PEEP titration (P