Goal Directed Mechanical Ventilation Aimed at Optimal Lung Compliance

Patients with acute respiratory failure exhibiting decreased respiratory system compliance with hypoxemia or carbon dioxide retention are often difficult to ventilate with current guidelines that limit applied plateau pressure Yet, these guidelines do not take into consideration chest wall mechanics. The investigators sought to determine whether partition of the respiratory system into its components by measuring esophageal pressure and thus assessment of pleural pressure, would help in patients with acute respiratory failure to identify the factors contributing to low respiratory system compliance.