The effect of positive end expiratory pressure on the respiratory profile during one-lung ventilation for thoracotomy.
Summary In this randomised controlled trial we examined the effects of four different levels of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP at 0, 5, 8 or 10 cmH(2)O), added to the dependent lung, on respiratory profile and oxygenation during one lung ventilation. Forty-six patients were recruited to receive one of the randomised PEEP levels during one lung ventilation. We did not find significant differences in lung compliance, intra-operative or postoperative oxygenation amongst the four different groups. However, the physiological deadspace to tidal volume ventilation ratio was significantly lower in the 8 cmH(2)O PEEP group compared with the other levels of PEEP (p < 0.0001). We concluded that the use of PEEP (< or =10 cmH(2)O) during one lung ventilation does not clinically improve lung compliance, intra-operative or postoperative oxygenation despite a statistically significant reduction in the physiological deadspace to tidal volume ratio.
Leong
L M C
LM
Department of Anaesthesia, Alexandra Hospital, Redditch B98 7UB, UK. lucyleong@hotmail.com
Chatterjee
S
S
Gao
F
F
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012126:Respiratory Dead Space / Q000502:physiology; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013990:Tidal Volume / Q000502:physiology
D010100:Oxygen