Key result
Compliance-guided PEEP de-escalation linked to ~32% lower PPV in moderate to severe ARDS.
Why the study?
To evaluate the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure on pulse pressure variation in patients with moderate or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Does PEEP titration based on respiratory system compliance alter pulse pressure variation and improve right ventricular hemodynamics in intubated patients with moderate/severe ARDS?
Observational (n=95)
No
Does PEEP titration based on respiratory system compliance alter pulse pressure variation and improve right ventricular hemodynamics in intubated patients with moderate/severe ARDS?
Absolute Event Rate: 7.9% vs 11.7%
p-value: p=<0.0001
In patients with ARDS, titrating PEEP based on respiratory system compliance rather than oxygenation alone improves right ventricular hemodynamics and alters pulse pressure variation, suggesting PPV should be interpreted cautiously in this setting.
Compliance-based PEEP de-escalation was associated with lower PPV in ARDS; hypothesis-generating for RV effects, needs RCTs before practice change.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on pulse pressure variation (PPV) in patients with moderate/severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). DESIGN: Prospective interventional self-controlled study. SETTING: University Hospital of Larissa. PATIENTS: ARDS patients admitted intubated in the ICU (from August 2020 to March 2022). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: PPV and inferior vena cava (IVC) respiratory variability were evaluated at two PEEP levels (first value mainly based on PEEP/Fio2 and second value based on respiratory system compliance). Additionally, respiratory mechanics, hemodynamics, and echocardiographic indices assessing right ventricular (RV) size (RV end-diastolic area/left ventricular end-diastolic area [RVEDA/LVEDA]), RV systolic function, and RV afterload (pulmonary artery systolic pressure [PASP] and PASP/left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral [PASP/VTILVOT]) were recorded. Ninety-five patients were evaluated. PPV decreased after PEEP reduction (11.7 ± 0.2 to 7.9% ± 0.2%), whereas IVC respiratory variability increased (9.1 ± 0.9 to 14.6% ± 0.1%) and central venous pressure decreased (all p < 0.0001). RV afterload indices decreased (p < 0.0001), simultaneously with RV size (< 0.0001) and systolic function indices' improvements (< 0.05); shock warranted less noradrenaline doses. The change in PPV correlated significantly to respiratory variability in IVC diameter distensibility (p < 0.0001) and moderately to changes in RV size and systolic function (change in RVEDA/change in LVEDA, change in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion); RV afterload (change in PASP [ΔPASP], ΔPASP/VTILVOT); and change in Paco2 (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PPV alteration with PEEP decrease, associated with IVC distensibility increases, may indicate the presence of RV dysfunction and increased pulmonary vascular resistances. Whether the patients are in need for fluid loading, fluid responsiveness assessment may be further warranted.
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Tsolaki et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (n=95). Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) de-escalation vs. Initial PEEP based on PEEP/FiO2 was evaluated on Pulse pressure variation (PPV) (p=<0.0001). In patients with moderate to severe ARDS, PEEP de-escalation based on respiratory system compliance significantly decreased pulse pressure variation from 11.7% to 7.9%.
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