Positive end expiratory pressure ventilation in the adult respiratory distress syndrome (Hebrew)

Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation has recently been introduced for the treatment of severe, persistent hypoxemia. Three cases in which PEEP was used in an intensive respiratory care unit are presented. PEEP improves arterial blood oxygenation by preventing alveolar collapse. Improved arterial oxygenation allows reduction in inspired oxygen concentration and thus helps to prevent pulmonary oxygen toxicity. There are, however, negative effects of PEEP on cardiac output and renal function, and there is also increased incidence of pulmonary barotrauma. By monitoring certain physiological parameters in patients on PEEP it may be possible to obtain the ideal balance between the positive and negative effects.