Objective: To explore the lung-protective effect of ventilation with tidal volume and PEEP determined on pressure-volume curve in oleic acid rabbit models of acute lung injury.
Methods: 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (V1P1, V1P2, V2P1, V2P2). After inducing lung injury, the P-V curves were measured and drawn. The low and upper inflection point pressure (Pinf and Pdef respectively) were manually determined. Two levels of tidal volume (V1 = 15 ml/kg, V2 reduced for Pplat < Pdef) and two levels of PEEP (P1 = Pinf, P2 = Pinf - 3 cm H2O) were selected. The peak airway pressure (PIP), plateau pressure (Pplat), mean pressure (PAW), static compliance (Cst), heart rate, arterial blood pressure and blood-gas analysis were measured. The lung tissues were pathologically analyzed with light microscope.
Results: The oxygenation was not significantly different among 4 groups. The reduced VT significantly raised PaCO2 and lowered pH. Larger VT reduced arterial blood pressure. VT and PEEP synergetically raised airway pressure. Larger PEEP improved Cst, which was counteracted by larger VT. Reduced VT significantly lessened alveolar barotrauma. Larger PEEP lightened alveolar hyaline membrane formation and hemorrhage.
Conclusion: The ventilation with VT and PEEP determined on P-V curve has significant protective effect on the acutely injured lung.