JOAO BATISTA BORGES SOBRINHO DORINI
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
LIM/09 - Laboratório de Pneumologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
13 resultados
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- How large is the lung recruitability in early acute respiratory distress syndrome: a prospective case series of patients monitored by computed tomography(2012) MATOS, Gustavo F. J. de; STANZANI, Fabiana; PASSOS, Rogerio H.; FONTANA, Mauricio F.; ALBALADEJO, Renata; CASERTA, Raquel E.; SANTOS, Durval C. B.; BORGES, Joao Batista; AMATO, Marcelo B. P.; BARBAS, Carmen S. V.Introduction: The benefits of higher positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been modest, but few studies have fully tested the ""open-lung hypothesis"". This hypothesis states that most of the collapsed lung tissue observed in ARDS can be reversed at an acceptable clinical cost, potentially resulting in better lung protection, but requiring more intensive maneuvers. The short-/middle-term efficacy of a maximum recruitment strategy (MRS) was recently described in a small physiological study. The present study extends those results, describing a case-series of non-selected patients with early, severe ARDS submitted to MRS and followed until hospital discharge or death. Methods: MRS guided by thoracic computed tomography (CT) included two parts: a recruitment phase to calculate opening pressures (incremental steps under pressure-controlled ventilation up to maximum inspiratory pressures of 60 cmH(2)O, at constant driving-pressures of 15 cmH(2)O); and a PEEP titration phase (decremental PEEP steps from 25 to 10 cmH2O) used to estimate the minimum PEEP to keep lungs open. During all steps, we calculated the size of the non-aerated (-100 to +100 HU) compartment and the recruitability of the lungs (the percent mass of collapsed tissue re-aerated from baseline to maximum PEEP). Results: A total of 51 severe ARDS patients, with a mean age of 50.7 years (84% primary ARDS) was studied. The opening plateau-pressure was 59.6 (+/- 5.9 cmH(2)O), and the mean PEEP titrated after MRS was 24.6 (+/- 2.9 cmH(2)O). Mean PaO2/FiO(2) ratio increased from 125 (+/- 43) to 300 (+/- 103; P < 0.0001) after MRS and was sustained above 300 throughout seven days. Non-aerated parenchyma decreased significantly from 53.6% (interquartile range (IQR): 42.5 to 62.4) to 12.7% (IQR: 4.9 to 24.2) (P < 0.0001) after MRS. The potentially recruitable lung was estimated at 45% (IQR: 25 to 53). We did not observe major barotrauma or significant clinical complications associated with the maneuver. Conclusions: MRS could efficiently reverse hypoxemia and most of the collapsed lung tissue during the course of ARDS, compatible with a high lung recruitability in non-selected patients with early, severe ARDS. This strategy should be tested in a prospective randomized clinical trial.
- Dynamic Mechanical Interactions Between Neighboring Airspaces Determine Cyclic Opening and Closure in Injured Lung(2017) BROCHE, Ludovic; PERCHIAZZI, Gaetano; PORRA, Liisa; TANNOIA, Angela; PELLEGRINI, Mariangela; DEROSA, Savino; SINDACO, Alessandra; BORGES, Joao Batista; DEGRUGILLIERS, Loic; LARSSON, Anders; HEDENSTIERNA, Goran; WEXLER, Anthony S.; BRAVIN, Alberto; VERBANCK, Sylvia; SMITH, Bradford J.; BATES, Jason H. T.; BAYAT, SamObjectives: Positive pressure ventilation exposes the lung to mechanical stresses that can exacerbate injury. The exact mechanism of this pathologic process remains elusive. The goal of this study was to describe recruitment/derecruitment at acinar length scales over short-time frames and test the hypothesis that mechanical interdependence between neighboring lung units determines the spatial and temporal distributions of recruitment/derecruitment, using a computational model. Design: Experimental animal study. Setting: International synchrotron radiation laboratory. Subjects: Four anesthetized rabbits, ventilated in pressure controlled mode. Interventions: The lung was consecutively imaged at - 1.5-minute intervals using phase-contrast synchrotron imaging, at positive end expiratory pressures of 12, 9, 6, 3, and 0 cm H2O before and after lavage and mechanical ventilation induced injury. The extent and spatial distribution of recruitment/derecruitment was analyzed by subtracting subsequent images. In a realistic lung structure, we implemented a mechanistic model in which each unit has individual pressures and speeds of opening and closing. Derecruited and recruited lung fractions (F-derecruaed, F-recruited) were computed based on the comparison of the aerated volumes at successive time points. Measurements and Main Results: Alternative recruitment/derecruitment occurred in neighboring alveoli over short-time scales in all tested positive end-expiratory pressure levels and despite stable pressure controlled mode. The computational model reproduced this behavior only when parenchymal interdependence between neighboring acini was accounted for. Simulations closely mimicked the experimental magnitude of F-derecruited and F-recruited when mechanical interdependence was included, while its exclusion gave F-recruited values of zero at positive end -expiratory pressure greater than or equal to 3 cm H2O. Conclusions: These findings give further insight into the microscopic behavior of the injured lung and provide a means of testing protective-ventilation strategies to prevent recruitment/derecruitment and subsequent lung damage. (Crit Care Med 2017; 45:687-694)
- Electrical impedance tomography in acute respiratory distress syndrome(2018) BACHMANN, M. Consuelo; MORAIS, Caio; BUGEDO, Guillermo; BRUHN, Alejandro; MORALES, Arturo; BORGES, Joao B.; COSTA, Eduardo; RETAMAL, JaimeAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical entity that acutely affects the lung parenchyma, and is characterized by diffuse alveolar damage and increased pulmonary vascular permeability. Currently, computed tomography (CT) is commonly used for classifying and prognosticating ARDS. However, performing this examination in critically ill patients is complex, due to the need to transfer these patients to the CT room. Fortunately, new technologies have been developed that allow the monitoring of patients at the bedside. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a monitoring tool that allows one to evaluate at the bedside the distribution of pulmonary ventilation continuously, in real time, and which has proven to be useful in optimizing mechanical ventilation parameters in critically ill patients. Several clinical applications of EIT have been developed during the last years and the technique has been generating increasing interest among researchers. However, among clinicians, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the technical principles of EIT and potential applications in ARDS patients. The aim of this review is to present the characteristics, technical concepts, and clinical applications of EIT, which may allow better monitoring of lung function during ARDS.
- THAM reduces CO2-associated increase in pulmonary vascular resistance - an experimental study in lung-injured piglets(2015) HOSTMAN, Staffan; BORGES, Joao Batista; SUAREZ-SIPMANN, Fernando; AHLGREN, Kerstin M.; ENGSTROM, Joakim; HEDENSTIERNA, Goran; LARSSON, AndersIntroduction: Low tidal volume (VT) ventilation is recommended in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This may increase arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), decrease pH, and augment pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). We hypothesized that Tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (THAM), a pure proton acceptor, would dampen these effects, preventing the increase in PVR. Methods: A one-hit injury ARDS model was established by repeated lung lavages in 18 piglets. After ventilation with V-T of 6 ml/kg to maintain normocapnia, VT was reduced to 3 ml/kg to induce hypercapnia. Six animals received THAM for 1 h, six for 3 h, and six serving as controls received no THAM. In all, the experiment continued for 6 h. The THAM dosage was calculated to normalize pH and exhibit a lasting effect. Gas exchange, pulmonary, and systemic hemodynamics were tracked. Inflammatory markers were obtained at the end of the experiment. Results: In the controls, the decrease in VT from 6 to 3 ml/kg increased PaCO2 from 6.0 +/- 0.5 to 13.8 +/- 1.5 kPa and lowered pH from 7.40 +/- 0.01 to 7.12 +/- 0.06, whereas base excess (BE) remained stable at 2.7 +/- 2.3 mEq/L to 3.4 +/- 3.2 mEq/L. In the THAM groups, PaCO2 decreased and pH increased above 7.4 during the infusions. After discontinuing the infusions, PaCO2 increased above the corresponding level of the controls (15.2 +/- 1.7 kPa and 22.6 +/- 3.3 kPa for 1-h and 3-h THAM infusions, respectively). Despite a marked increase in BE (13.8 +/- 3.5 and 31.2 +/- 2.2 for 1-h and 3-h THAM infusions, respectively), pH became similar to the corresponding levels of the controls. PVR was lower in the THAM groups (at 6 h, 329 +/- 77 dyn.s/m(5) and 255 +/- 43 dyn.s/m(5) in the 1-h and 3-h groups, respectively, compared with 450 +/- 141 dyn.s/m(5) in the controls), as were pulmonary arterial pressures. Conclusions: The pH in the THAM groups was similar to pH in the controls at 6 h, despite a marked increase in BE. This was due to an increase in PaCO2 after stopping the THAM infusion, possibly by intracellular release of CO2. Pulmonary arterial pressure and PVR were lower in the THAM-treated animals, indicating that THAM may be an option to reduce PVR in acute hypercapnia.
- Does Regional Lung Strain Correlate With Regional Inflammation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome During Nonprotective Ventilation? An Experimental Porcine Study(2018) RETAMAL, Jaime; HURTADO, Daniel; VILLARROEL, Nicolas; BRUHN, Alejandro; BUGEDO, Guillermo; AMATO, Marcelo Britto Passos; COSTA, Eduardo Leite Vieira; HEDENSTIERNA, Goeran; LARSSON, Anders; BORGES, Joao BatistaObjective: It is known that ventilator-induced lung injury causes increased pulmonary inflammation. It has been suggested that one of the underlying mechanisms may be strain. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lung regional strain correlates with regional inflammation in a porcine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Design: Retrospective analysis of CT images and positron emission tomography images using [F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose. Setting: University animal research laboratory. Subjects: Seven piglets subjected to experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome and five ventilated controls. Interventions: Acute respiratory distress syndrome was induced by repeated lung lavages, followed by 210 minutes of injurious mechanical ventilation using low positive end-expiratory pressures (mean, 4cm H2O) and high inspiratory pressures (mean plateau pressure, 45cm H2O). All animals were subsequently studied with CT scans acquired at end-expiration and end-inspiration, to obtain maps of volumetric strain (inspiratory volume - expiratory volume)/expiratory volume, and dynamic positron emission tomography imaging. Strain maps and positron emission tomography images were divided into 10 isogravitational horizontal regions-of-interest, from which spatial correlation was calculated for each animal. Measurements and Main Results: The acute respiratory distress syndrome model resulted in a decrease in respiratory system compliance (20.33.4 to 14.0 +/- 4.9mL/cm H2O; p < 0.05) and oxygenation (Pao(2)/Fio(2), 489 +/- 80 to 92 +/- 59; p < 0.05), whereas the control animals did not exhibit changes. In the acute respiratory distress syndrome group, strain maps showed a heterogeneous distribution with a greater concentration in the intermediate gravitational regions, which was similar to the distribution of [F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake observed in the positron emission tomography images, resulting in a positive spatial correlation between both variables (median R-2 = 0.71 [0.02-0.84]; p < 0.05 in five of seven animals), which was not observed in the control animals. Conclusion: In this porcine acute respiratory distress syndrome model, regional lung strain was spatially correlated with regional inflammation, supporting that strain is a relevant and prominent determinant of ventilator-induced lung injury.
- Open Lung in Lateral Decubitus With Differential Selective Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in an Experimental Model of Early Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome(2015) BORGES, Joao Batista; SENTURK, Mert; AHLGREN, Oskar; HEDENSTIERNA, Goran; LARSSON, AndersObjective: After lung recruitment, lateral decubitus and differential lung ventilation may enable the titration and application of optimum-selective positive end-expiratory pressure values for the dependent and nondependent lungs. We aimed at compare the effects of optimum-selective positive end-expiratory pressure with optimum global positive end-expiratory pressure on regional collapse and aeration distribution in an experimental model of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Design: Prospective laboratory investigation. Setting: University animal research laboratory. Subjects: Seven piglets. Interventions: A one-hit injury acute respiratory distress syndrome model was established by repeated lung lavages. After replacing the tracheal tube by a double-lumen one, we initiated lateral decubitus and differential ventilation. After maximum-recruitment maneuver, decremental positive end-expiratory pressure titration was performed. The positive end-expiratory pressure corresponding to maximum dynamic compliance was defined globally (optimum global positive end-expiratory pressure) and for each individual lung (optimum-selective positive end-expiratory pressure). After new maximum-recruitment maneuver, two steps were performed in randomized order (15 min each): ventilation applying the optimum global positive end-expiratory pressure and the optimum-selective positive end-expiratory pressure. CT scans were acquired at end expiration and end inspiration. Measurements and Main Results: Aeration homogeneity was evaluated as a nondependent/dependent ratio (percent of total gas content in upper lung/percent of total gas content in lower lung) and tidal recruitment as the difference in the percent mass of nonaerated tissue between expiration and inspiration. At the end of the 15-minute optimum-selective positive end-expiratory pressure, compared with the optimum global positive end-expiratory pressure, resulted in 1) decrease in the percent mass of collapse in the lower lung at expiratory CT (19% 15% vs 4% +/- 5%; p = 0.03); 2) decrease in the nondependent/dependent ratio between the optimum global positive end-expiratory pressure-expiratory-CT and optimum-selective positive end-expiratory pressure-expiratory-CT (3.7 +/- 1.2 vs 0.8 +/- 0.5; p = 0.01); 3) decrease in the nondependent/dependent ratio between the optimum global positive end-expiratory pressure-inspiratory-CT and optimum-selective positive end-expiratory pressure-inspiratory-CT (2.8 +/- 1.1 vs 0.6 +/- 0.3; p = 0.01); and 4) less tidal recruitment (p = 0.049). Conclusions: After maximum lung recruitment, lateral decubitus and differential lung ventilation enabled the titration of optimum-selective positive end-expiratory pressure values for the dependent and the nondependent lungs, made possible the application of an optimized regional open lung approach, promoted better aeration distribution, and minimized lung tissue inhomogeneities.
- Early Inflammation Mainly Affects Normally and Poorly Aerated Lung in Experimental Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury*(2014) BORGES, Joao Batista; COSTA, Eduardo L. V.; SUAREZ-SIPMANN, Fernando; WIDSTROM, Charles; LARSSON, Anders; AMATO, Marcelo; HEDENSTIERNA, GoranObjective: The common denominator in most forms of ventilator-induced lung injury is an intense inflammatory response mediated by neutrophils. PET with [F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose can be used to image cellular metabolism, which, during lung inflammatory processes, mainly reflects neutrophil activity, allowing the study of regional lung inflammation in vivo. The aim of this study was to assess the location and magnitude of lung inflammation using PET imaging of [F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose in a porcine experimental model of early acute respiratory distress syndrome. Design: Prospective laboratory investigation. Setting: A university animal research laboratory. Subjects: Seven piglets submitted to experimental ventilator-induced lung injury and five healthy controls. Interventions: Lung injury was induced by lung lavages and 210 minutes of injurious mechanical ventilation using low positive end-expiratory pressure and high inspiratory pressures. All animals were subsequently studied with dynamic PET imaging of [F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose. CT scans were acquired at end expiration and end inspiration. Measurements and Main Results: [F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake rate was computed for the whole lung, four isogravitational regions, and regions grouping voxels with similar density. Global and intermediate gravitational zones [F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptakes were higher in ventilator-induced lung injury piglets compared with controls animals. Uptake of normally and poorly aerated regions was also higher in ventilator-induced lung injury piglets compared with control piglets, whereas regions suffering tidal recruitment or tidal hyperinflation had [F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptakes similar to controls. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that normally and poorly aerated regionscorresponding to intermediate gravitational zonesare the primary targets of the inflammatory process accompanying early experimental ventilator-induced lung injury. This may be attributed to the small volume of the aerated lung, which receives most of ventilation.
- Non-lobar atelectasis generates inflammation and structural alveolar injury in the surrounding healthy tissue during mechanical ventilation(2014) RETAMAL, Jaime; BERGAMINI, Bruno Curty; CARVALHO, Alysson R.; BOZZA, Fernando A.; BORZONE, Gisella; BORGES, Joao Batista; LARSSON, Anders; HEDENSTIERNA, Goeran; BUGEDO, Guillermo; BRUHN, AlejandroIntroduction: When alveoli collapse the traction forces exerted on their walls by adjacent expanded units may increase and concentrate. These forces may promote its re-expansion at the expense of potentially injurious stresses at the interface between the collapsed and the expanded units. We developed an experimental model to test the hypothesis that a local non-lobar atelectasis can act as a stress concentrator, contributing to inflammation and structural alveolar injury in the surrounding healthy lung tissue during mechanical ventilation. Methods: A total of 35 rats were anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated. Atelectasis was induced by bronchial blocking: after five minutes of stabilization and pre-oxygenation with FIO2 = 1.0, a silicon cylinder blocker was wedged in the terminal bronchial tree. Afterwards, the animals were randomized between two groups: 1) Tidal volume (V-T) = 10 ml/kg and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) = 3 cmH(2)O (V(T)10/PEEP3); and 2) V-T=20 ml/kg and PEEP = 0 cmH2O (V(T)20/zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP)). The animals were then ventilated during 180 minutes. Three series of experiments were performed: histological (n = 12); tissue cytokines (n = 12); and micro-computed tomography (microCT; n = 2). An additional six, non-ventilated, healthy animals were used as controls. Results: Atelectasis was successfully induced in the basal region of the lung of 26 out of 29 animals. The microCT of two animals revealed that the volume of the atelectasis was 0.12 and 0.21 cm(3). There were more alveolar disruption and neutrophilic infiltration in the peri-atelectasis region than the corresponding contralateral lung (control) in both groups. Edema was higher in the peri-atelectasis region than the corresponding contralateral lung (control) in the V(T)20/ZEEP than VT10/PEEP3 group. The volume-to-surface ratio was higher in the peri-atelectasis region than the corresponding contralateral lung (control) in both groups. We did not find statistical difference in tissue interleukin-1 beta and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 between regions. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that a local non-lobar atelectasis acts as a stress concentrator, generating structural alveolar injury and inflammation in the surrounding lung tissue.
- Effects on Pulmonary Vascular Mechanics of Two Different Lung-Protective Ventilation Strategies in an Experimental Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome(2017) SANTOS, Arnoldo; GOMEZ-PENALVER, Eva; MONGE-GARCIA, M. Ignacio; RETAMAL, Jaime; BORGES, Joao Batista; TUSMAN, Gerardo; HEDENSTIERNA, Goran; LARSSON, Anders; SUAREZ-SIPMANN, FernandoObjectives: To compare the effects of two lung-protective ventilation strategies on pulmonary vascular mechanics in early acute respiratory distress syndrome. Design: Experimental study. Setting: University animal research laboratory. Subjects: Twelve pigs (30.8 +/- 2.5 kg). Interventions: Acute respiratory distress syndrome was induced by repeated lung lavages and injurious mechanical ventilation. Thereafter, animals were randomized to 4 hours ventilation according to the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol or to an open lung approach strategy. Pressure and flow sensors placed at the pulmonary artery trunk allowed continuous assessment of pulmonary artery resistance, effective elastance, compliance, and reflected pressure waves. Respiratory mechanics and gas exchange data were collected. Measurements and Main Results: Acute respiratory distress syndrome led to pulmonary vascular mechanics deterioration. Four hours after randomization, pulmonary vascular mechanics was similar in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network and open lung approach: resistance (578 +/- 252 vs 626 +/- 153 dyn. s/cm(5); p = 0.714), effective elastance, (0.63 +/- 0.22 vs 0.58 +/- 0.17 mm Hg/mL; p = 0.710), compliance (1.19 +/- 0.8 vs 1.50 +/- 0.27 mL/mm Hg; p = 0.437), and reflection index (0.36 +/- 0.04 vs 0.34 +/- 0.09; p = 0.680). Open lung approach as compared to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network was associated with improved dynamic respiratory compliance (17.3 +/- 2.6 vs 10.5 +/- 1.3 mL/cm H2O; p < 0.001), driving pressure (9.6 +/- 1.3 vs 19.3 +/- 2.7 cm H2O; p < 0.001), and venous admixture (0.05 +/- 0.01 vs 0.22 +/- 0.03, p < 0.001) and lower mean pulmonary artery pressure (26 +/- 3 vs 34 +/- 7 mm Hg; p = 0.045) despite of using a higher positive endexpiratory pressure (17.4 +/- 0.7 vs 9.5 +/- 2.4 cm H2O; p < 0.001). Cardiac index, however, was lower in open lung approach (1.42 +/- 0.16 vs 2.27 +/- 0.48 L/min; p = 0.005). Conclusions: In this experimental model, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network and open lung approach affected pulmonary vascular mechanics similarly. The use of higher positive end-expiratory pressures in the open lung approach strategy did not worsen pulmonary vascular mechanics, improved lung mechanics, and gas exchange but at the expense of a lower cardiac index.
- Open Lung Approach for the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Pilot, Randomized Controlled Trial(2016) KACMAREK, Robert M.; VILLAR, Jesus; SULEMANJI, Demet; MONTIEL, Raquel; FERRANDO, Carlos; BLANCO, Jesus; KOH, Younsuck; SOLER, Juan Alfonso; MARTINEZ, Domingo; HERNANDEZ, Marianela; TUCCI, Mauro; BORGES, Joao Batista; LUBILLO, Santiago; SANTOS, Arnoldo; ARAUJO, Juan B.; AMATO, Marcelo B. P.; SUAREZ-SIPMANN, FernandoObjective: The open lung approach is a mechanical ventilation strategy involving lung recruitment and a decremental positive end-expiratory pressure trial. We compared the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome network protocol using low levels of positive end-expiratory pressure with open lung approach resulting in moderate to high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure for the management of established moderate/severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Design: A prospective, multicenter, pilot, randomized controlled trial. Setting: A network of 20 multidisciplinary ICUs. Patients: Patients meeting the American-European Consensus Conference definition for acute respiratory distress syndrome were considered for the study. Interventions: At 12-36 hours after acute respiratory distress syndrome onset, patients were assessed under standardized ventilator settings (Fio(2)0.5, positive end-expiratory pressure 10 cm H2O). If Pao(2)/Fio(2) ratio remained less than or equal to 200 mm Hg, patients were randomized to open lung approach or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome network protocol. All patients were ventilated with a tidal volume of 4 to 8 ml/kg predicted body weight. Measurements and Main Results: From 1,874 screened patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, 200 were randomized: 99 to open lung approach and 101 to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome network protocol. Main outcome measures were 60-day and ICU mortalities, and ventilator-free days. Mortality at day-60 (29% open lung approach vs. 33% Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol, p = 0.18, log rank test), ICU mortality (25% open lung approach vs. 30% Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome network protocol, p = 0.53 Fisher's exact test), and ventilator-free days (8 [0-20] open lung approach vs. 7 [0-20] d Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome network protocol, p = 0.53 Wilcoxon rank test) were not significantly different. Airway driving pressure (plateau pressure - positive end-expiratory pressure) and Pao(2)/Fio(2) improved significantly at 24, 48 and 72 hours in patients in open lung approach compared with patients in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome network protocol. Barotrauma rate was similar in both groups. Conclusions: In patients with established acute respiratory distress syndrome, open lung approach improved oxygenation and driving pressure, without detrimental effects on mortality, ventilator-free days, or barotrauma. This pilot study supports the need for a large, multicenter trial using recruitment maneuvers and a decremental positive end-expiratory pressure trial in persistent acute respiratory distress syndrome.