Influence of Inspiration to Expiration Ratio on Cyclic Recruitment and Derecruitment of Atelectasis in a Saline Lavage Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome*

Abstract

Inverse ratio ventilation minimizes cyclic recruitment and derecruitment of atelectasis in an experimental model of surfactant-depleted pigs. Time constants for recruitment and derecruitment, and regional ventilation distribution, reflect these findings and highlight the time dependency of cyclic recruitment and derecruitment.