EurekAlert -- Ventilator-induced injury to the lungs can contribute to prolonged respiratory failure and even death among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Even post-operative patients with previously healthy lungs, who require temporary mechanical ventilation, are at risk of ventilator-induced lung injury. Such injuries have been reduced tremendously during the last 20 years since studies had demonstrated ventilators should be set to deliver lower breath volumes (tidal volumes) so as to reduce the stress and strain on fragile alveoli damaged by ARDS. According to a new study, however, we may have much further to go to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury.
