• A method of ventilation which has become the routine in all ICU patients
  • The core principles of lung-protective ventilation are:
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Low Tidal Volumes (Vt)
  • 5-7ml/kg ideal body weight (IBW)
  • Usually coupled with a higher than the physiological respiratory rate to maintain minute volume
Low Driving Pressure
  • Maintain plateau pressure (Pplat <30cmH20)
  • Use of PEEP
  • Optimal PEEP can be determined using several strategies
  • Permissive Hypercapnia
  • Tolerate high levels of CO2 providing pH >7.2 (unless there is concurrent brain injury)
  • Avoidance of Hyperoxia
  • Aim SpO2 88-95% to reduce oxygen toxicity