Mechanical Power Correlates With Stress, Strain, and Atelectrauma Only When Normalized to Aerated Lung Size in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Objectives: First, to investigate whether the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) influences ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) risk in ventilated patients with similar mechanical power of respiratory system (MP). Second, to determine whether, under these circumstances, there is a relationship between transpulmonary mechanical power (MP) normalized to the aerated lung (specific lung mechanical power or SLMP) and VILI risk, and third, to determine whether normalizing MP to compliance of respiratory system (CRS) can replace SLMP to bedside.

Design: Prospective cohort study.