Managing Hypercapnia in Patients with Severe ARDS and Low Respiratory System Compliance: The Role of Esophageal Pressure Monitoring—A Case Cohort Study

Figure 1

Inclusion criteria for insertion of esophageal balloon and patient recruitment into the study. Once esophageal balloon was inserted, PEEP was adjusted according to end expiratory transpulmonary (EETP) pressure, with the aim of keeping EETP slightly positive. Inspiratory driving pressure was adjusted according to end inspiratory transpulmonary (EITP) pressure, with the aim of achieving tidal volume of 6 to 8 mL/kg IBW, while keeping EITP less than 25 cm H₂O. PEEP: positive end expiratory pressure. ARDS was defined according to the Berlin definition [6].