What are the components of lung protective ventilation?

Low Tidal Volumes (Vt)
  • Tidal volumes 5-7ml/kg ideal body weight (IBW) (1)
  • Usually coupled with a higher than the physiological respiratory rate to maintain minute volume
Low Driving Pressure
  • Maintain plateau pressure (Pplat <30cmH20) (1)
    • Use of PEEP
  • Optimal PEEP (1) can be determined using several strategies
    • Permissive Hypercapnia
  • Tolerate high levels of CO2 providing pH >7.2 (1) (unless there is concurrent brain injury)
    • Avoidance of Hyperoxia
  • Aim SpO2 88-95% to reduce oxygen toxicity (1)