Pilot Study of Positive-End Expiratory Pressure in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

"All patients were ventilated during 24 hours with low tidal volume (6-8 milliliters/kilogram of predicted body weight), plateau airway pressure limited at 35 centimeters of water, initial ventilator rate of 30 breaths/minute adjusted to maintain a pH goal of 7.30 to 7.45 to a maximum of 35 breaths/minute, fraction of inspired oxygen ensuring arterial oxygen saturation 88-95% or arterial partial pressure of oxygen of 55-80 mmHg.~Level of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) applied according the 2 arms of treatment."