This document discusses various ventilatory strategies for treating ALI/ARDS, including:
- Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) which reduces atelectasis and improves oxygenation.
- Controlled mechanical ventilation aims to decrease ventilatory inequalities and distribute flow better while limiting plateau pressure.
- Low tidal volume ventilation as per the ARDSnet trial reduces mortality compared to conventional tidal volumes.
- Recruitment maneuvers use high pressures to reopen collapsed alveoli but can cause barotrauma and hemodynamic instability if not done carefully.
- Other strategies discussed include prone positioning, high frequency ventilation, airway pressure release ventilation and partial liquid ventilation. The goal is