THE EFFECT OF PEEP ON OXYGEN ETABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

Objective:To explore the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) on oxygen metabolism in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods:21 ARDS patients were received mechanical ventilation and the catheter of central vein were laid.The PEEP was adjusted at the level of 0,5,10 and 15 cm H 2O respectively and the patients' hemodynamics and oxygen metabolic parameters were measured.Results:Arterial oxygen tension(PaO 2) increased significantly(P0.05) at PEEP 5 cm H 2O. Oxygen utilization coefficient(O 2UC),heart rate(HR) and mean blood pressure(MBP) were not significantly different(P0.05) at PEEP 10 cm H 2O. At PEEP 15 cm H 2O, O 2UC and HR increased significantly(P0.05), but MBP decreased obviously(P0.05).Conclusion:Although PaO 2 can be promoted by application of PEEP, the optimum PEEP level should be found;the blood capacity and efficient cardiac output should be increased appropriately in order to improve the patient's anoxia.