[Relationship of stress index with lung recruitment and gas exchange in dogs with acute respiratory distress syndrome].

Objective: To determine the relationship of stress index with lung recruitment and gas exchange in dogs with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: The ARDS model was induced by infusion of oleic acid intravenously in anesthetized dogs. During volume control ventilation with constant inspiratory flow, the pressure-time (P-t) curve was fitted to a power equation: P = a.time(b)+c, where coefficient b (stress index) describes the shape of the curve: b = 1, straight curve; b < 1, progressive increase in slope; and b > 1, progressive decrease in slope. Tidal volume (V(T)) was 6 ml/kg, and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was set to obtain a b value between 0.9 and 1.1 before (b = 1) and after (b = 1 after recruiting maneuver) application of a recruiting maneuver (RM). PEEP was changed to obtain 0.6 < b < 0.8 and 1.1 < b < 1.3. Experimental condition sequence was random. Recruited volume (RV) was measured by static pressure-volume curve method. Hemodynamics, pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange were observed at the same time.

Results: At b = 1 without RM, the PEEP was (5.0 +/- 3.0) cm H2O, the RV was (27 +/- 15) ml, and the RV increased to (166 +/- 84) ml significantly at b = 1 after RM [PEEP (10.8 +/- 2.3) cm H2O (1 cm H2O = 0.098 kPa), q = 3.18, P < 0.01]. At 1.1 < b < 1.3 after RM, the PEEP was (16.8 +/- 1.1) cm H2O and the RV was (262 +/- 57) ml, which was higher than that at b = 1 after RM (q = 2.54, P = 0.023). At 0.6 < b < 0.8 after RM, the PEEP was (5.6 +/- 2.2) cm H2O and the RV was lower than that at b = 1 after RM (q = 2.85, P = 0.013). The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) in b = 1, 0.6 < b < 0.8 and 1.1 < b < 1.3 after RM were (319 +/- 49) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), (246 +/- 57) mm Hg and (314 +/- 27) mm Hg respectively, which was higher than the PaO2 at b = 1 without RM [(153 +/- 64) mm Hg, all q = 2.81, all P < 0.05]. The PaO2 at 0.6 < b < 0.8 was lower than that at b = 1 after RM (q = 2.81, P = 0.005), while there was no significant difference between the PaO2 at 1.1 < b < 1.3 and that at b = 1 after RM. The peak airway pressure and plateau pressure at 1.1 < b < 1.3 were higher than those at b = 1 after RM (q = 6.02, 5.72, all P < 0.05).

Conclusion: In the b = 1 after RM, there were better PaO2 and lower airway pressure, suggesting that b = 1 after RM may be a good indicator for PEEP titration.