Reversibility of Lung Collapse and Hypoxemia in Early Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

TLDR

The hypothesis that lung collapse worsens acute respiratory distress syndrome remains debated. The study aims to determine whether a bedside recruitment strategy can reverse hypoxemia and collapse in over 95 % of lung units in early ARDS. The authors used a prospective, stepwise recruitment protocol that increased inspiratory pressures in 5‑cm H₂O increments up to 60 cm H₂O, guided by multislice CT and continuous blood‑gas monitoring, stopping when PaO₂ + PaCO₂ reached ≥400 mm Hg or if hemodynamics worsened or barotrauma occurred. In 24 of 26 patients, the recruitment maneuver successfully opened and maintained lung recruitment, producing a strong inverse correlation between oxygenation and collapsed lung mass (R = −0.91) without barotrauma, though transient hemodynamic changes and hypercapnia were observed, indicating feasibility but requiring further evaluation before routine use.

Abstract

Rationale: The hypothesis that lung collapse is detrimental during the acute respiratory distress syndrome is still debatable. One of the difficulties is the lack of an efficient maneuver to minimize it.Objectives: To test if a bedside recruitment strategy, capable of reversing hypoxemia and collapse in > 95% of lung units, is clinically applicable in early acute respiratory distress syndrome.Methods: Prospective assessment of a stepwise maximum-recruitment strategy using multislice computed tomography and continuous blood-gas hemodynamic monitoring.Measurements and Main Results: Twenty-six patients received sequential increments in inspiratory airway pressures, in 5 cm H2O steps, until the detection of PaO2 + PaCO2 ⩾ 400 mm Hg. Whenever this primary target was not met, despite inspiratory pressures reaching 60 cm H2O, the maneuver was considered incomplete. If there was hemodynamic deterioration or barotrauma, the maneuver was to be interrupted. Late assessment of recruitment efficacy was performed by computed tomography (9 patients) or by online continuous monitoring in the intensive care unit (15 patients) up to 6 h. It was possible to open the lung and to keep the lung open in the majority (24/26) of patients, at the expense of transient hemodynamic effects and hypercapnia but without major clinical consequences. No barotrauma directly associated with the maneuver was detected. There was a strong and inverse relationship between arterial oxygenation and percentage of collapsed lung mass (R = − 0.91; p < 0.0001).Conclusions: It is often possible to reverse hypoxemia and fully recruit the lung in early acute respiratory distress syndrome. Due to transient side effects, the required maneuver still awaits further evaluation before routine clinical application.