Effect of ERCC and/or PEEP-ZEEP Maneuver on Oxygenation, Ventilation, and Airway Secretions Removal in MV Patients

Expiratory rib cage compression (ERCC) In this study, ERCC is a technique consisting of bilateral manual compression of the lower rib cage (anterolateral region of the chest at the level of the six last ribs) gradually during the expiratory phase of the ventilatory cycle and release from the compression at the end of the expiration.

PEEP-ZEEP maneuver In this study, PEEP-ZEEP maneuver refers to PEEP which stands for positive end-expiratory pressure, and ZEEP which stands for zero end-expiratory pressure. In this maneuver PEEP will be incremented to 15 cmH2O throughout five consecutive respiratory cycles, then immediately after the inspiratory phase of the fifth cycle has been ended ZEEP should be done by abruptly reducing PEEP value to 0 cmH2O. The PEEP-ZEEP maneuver should be performed in two sets, consisting of a total of 10 consecutive breathing cycles. Subsequently, the patient is ventilated according to his/her baseline ventilator parameters.

\- The ERCC technique will be applied as mentioned above, then followed by PEEP-ZEEP maneuvers according to the standard steps mentioned before.