Partial Neuromuscular Blockade in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Cisatracurium will be infused to achieve esophageal pressure targets and maintain a Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) score of 1-2. Additional boluses of cisatracurium will be delivered as required and adjustment of continuous infusion rate. After establishing a sedation and NMB strategy at which safe spontaneous breathing is achieved, we will seek to determine whether these targets can be maintained over a 24-hour period.