Commonly used positive end-expiratory pressure by clinicians is inadequate for optimal mechanical ventilation of morbidly obese patients. A recruitment maneuver followed by end-expiratory pressure titration was found to significantly improve lung volumes, respiratory system elastance, and oxygenation.

In obesity, low-to-negative values of transpulmonary pressure predict lung collapse and intratidal recruitment/derecruitment. A decremental positive end-expiratory pressure trial preceded by a recruitment maneuver reverses atelectasis, improves lung mechanics, distribution of ventilation and oxygenation, and does not increase pulmonary vascular resistance.

Background: Limited data exist regarding ventilation in patients with class III obesity [body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m 2 ] and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of the present study was to determine whether an individualized titration of mechanical ventilation according to cardiopulmonary physiology reduces the mortality in patients with class III obesity and ARDS. Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled adults admitted to the ICU from 2012 to 2017 who had class III obesity and ARDS and received mechanical ventilation for > 48 h. Enrolled patients were divided in two cohorts: one cohort (2012-2014) had ventilator settings determined by the ARDSnet table for lower positive end-expiratory pressure/higher inspiratory fraction of oxygen (standard protocol-based cohort); the other cohort (2015-2017) had ventilator settings determined by an individualized protocol established by a lung rescue team (lung rescue team cohort). The lung rescue team used lung recruitment maneuvers, esophageal manometry, and hemodynamic monitoring. Results: The standard protocol-based cohort included 70 patients (BMI = 49 ± 9 kg/m 2 ), and the lung rescue team cohort included 50 patients (BMI = 54 ± 13 kg/m 2 ). Patients in the standard protocol-based cohort compared to lung rescue team cohort had almost double the risk of dying at 28 days [31% versus 16%, P = 0.012; hazard ratio (HR) 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI95%) 0.13-0.78] and 3 months (41% versus 22%, P = 0.006; HR 0.35; CI95% 0.16-0.74), and this effect persisted at 6 months and 1 year (incidence of death unchanged 41% versus 22%, P = 0.006; HR 0.35; CI95% 0.16-0.74). Conclusion: Individualized titration of mechanical ventilation by a lung rescue team was associated with decreased mortality compared to use of an ARDSnet table.