Effects of vascular flow and PEEP in a multiple hit model of lung injury in isolated perfused rabbit lungs.

Background: High vascular flow aggravates lung damage in animal models of ventilator-induced lung injury. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can attenuate ventilator-induced lung injury, but its continued effectiveness in the setting of antecedent lung injury is unclear. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether the application of PEEP diminishes lung injury induced by concurrent high vascular flow and high alveolar pressures in normal lungs and in a preinjury lung model.

Contributions of vascular flow and pulmonary capillary pressure to ventilator-induced lung injury.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of vascular flow on ventilator-induced lung injury independent of vascular pressures.

Design: Laboratory study.

Setting: Hospital laboratory.