Intensive Alveolar Recruitment Protocol After Cardiac Surgery

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the impact of two protective mechanical ventilation strategies, both using low tidal volume ventilation (6 mL/kg/ibw) after cardiac surgery. The study selected patients presenting signals of deficient gas exchange (PaO2/FIO2 \< 250 at a PEEP \[positive end expiratory pressure\] of 5 cmH2O) in the immediate post-operative period. An aggressive alveolar recruitment protocol applying opening pressures of 45 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with PEEP = 13 cmH2O, was compared to the standard alveolar recruitment protocol of the institution, where an opening pressure of 20 cmH2O in the airways is followed by ventilation with PEEP = 8 cmH2O. After a stabilizing period of four hours of controlled mechanical ventilation, the patients followed the routine weaning protocol and physiotherapy protocol of the institution.