Indications and Contraindications for PEEP
ARDS:
- There people have reduced aerated lung volume
- Yes, it helps to set a high PEEP to increase the aerated lung volume
- Yes, very high PEEP can cause VILI
- No, nobody can agree on how high the PEEP should be
The ALVEOLI Trial: by ARDS network, (2004) - randomized 549 patients to high PEEP vs low PEEP.
- Same volumes (around 6ml/kg) and plateau pressures; No survival benefit.
- The investigators recommend you have a try of high PEEP ventilation, and if it improves the oxygenation of your ARDS patient, then you are a winner; and if it doesn’t work, don’t feel too bad, because there is no evidence it makes any difference in the long run anyway.
ASTHMA:
- These people have an increased intrinsic PEEP and higher airway resistance. The main problem is high expiratory resistance, so it takes a while to empty the lungs.
- Less responsive to PEEP than COPD
- This is probably because there is too much intrinsic PEEP; plus mucus plugs might be blocking some of the airways, making them immune to the benefits of PEEP.
- The result is that PEEP might actually cause worsening hyperinflation and increased gas trapping.
- Some data suggests that low level PEEP is beneficial.
COPD:
- These people have an increased intrinsic PEEP and higher airway resistance.
- PEEP reduces the workload of respiratory muscles by counteracting both intrinsic PEEP and airway resistance
- Also, it may actually splint the airways, resulting in improved emptying of the trapped gas.
- No trials to test whether PEEP in COPD is of any use whatsoever.
PULMONARY OEDEMA:
- The main problem is a negative intrathoracic pressure generated due to decreased lung volume and decreased lung compliance
- PEEP works directly on this problem.
- Most people would agree that about 10cmH2O of PEEP is the standard of care for cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.
Contraindications to PEEP
- Tension Pneumothorax - it will get worse
- Hypovolemic shock – cardiac output will decrease
- Bronchopleural fistula - it wont heal
- High intracranial pressure - it will get higher
- Right ventricular failure - the failing right ventricle may fail more with the addition of increased afterload
References
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute ARDS Clinical Trials Network. Higher versus lower positive end-expiratory pressure in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome. NEnglJMed 2004; 351: 327–36.
Soni, N., and P. Williams. "Positive pressure ventilation: what is the real cost?." British journal of anaesthesia 101.4 (2008): 446-457.
Kumar, Anil, et al. "Continuous positive-pressure ventilation in acute respiratory failure: effects on hemodynamics and lung function." New England Journal of Medicine 283.26 (1970): 1430-1436.