Ventilator Settings May Influence Development Of ARDS

A new study reveals that ventilator settings may influence the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients supported by mechanical ventilation. In a retrospective analysis of more than 2,500 patients, researchers from Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center identified 789 patients who required more than 48 hours of ventilation but did not have ARDS at admission. After the test period, nearly 20% (152) of these patients went on to develop the syndrome. Results showed that peak pressure, high net fluid balance, transfusion of plasma, sepsis, and tidal volume were all significantly associated with the development of ARDS. Researchers suggest that by addressing these factors, ARDS may be a preventable complication in some cases. This study is published in the April issue of the journal CHEST.