Early Use of Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) in ARDS

APRV consist of an extended time at plateau pressure (a continuous positive airway pressure phase) comprising about 90% of the respiratory cycle, while providing very brief releases to enhance carbon dioxide removal. Time-controlled adaptive method requires interpretation of the expiratory flow curve to assess changes in lung elastance and, therefore, set the Time low to optimize carbon dioxide removal, but not at the expense of alveolar derecruitment and instability.

Lung protective ventilation consist of delivery of low tidal volumes (4-6 ml/kg PBW), high PEEP enough to avoid de-recruitment, titrated according to ARDSNet PEEP/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) table, while avoiding excessive transpulmonary pressure.