Higher Levels of Spontaneous Breathing Reduce Lung Injury in Experimental Moderate Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome*

Abstract

In this model of moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome in pigs, biphasic positive airway pressure/airway pressure release ventilation with levels of spontaneous breath higher than usually seen in clinical practice, that is, more than 30% of total minute ventilation, reduced lung injury with improved respiratory function, as compared with protective controlled mechanical ventilation.