Driving pressure is not predictive of ARDS outcome in chest trauma patients under mechanical ventilation.

Background: The relationship between the driving pressure of the respiratory system (ΔPrs) under mechanical ventilation and worse outcome has never been studied specifically in chest trauma patients. The objective of the present study was to assess in cases of chest trauma the relationship between ΔPrs and severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or death and length of stay.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of severe trauma patients (ISS > 15) with chest injuries admitted to the Trauma Centre from January 2010 to December 2018 was performed.