Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Patients with acute respiratory failure due to influenza require ventilatory support. However, mechanical ventilation itself can exacerbate lung damage and increase mortality.
METHODS:
The aim of this study was to describe a feasible and protective ventilation protocol, with limitation of the tidal volume to ≤6 mL/kg of the predicted weight and a driving pressure ≤15 cmH2O after application of the alveolar recruitment maneuver and PEEP titration.
RESULTS:
Initial improvement in oxygenation and respiratory mechanics were observed in the four cases submitted to the proposed protocol.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results indicate that the mechanical ventilation strategy applied could be optimized.
Keywords:
Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Influenza virus; Mechanical ventilation