What should the plateau pressure be maintained at in the ARDS protocol?

In the management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), maintaining the plateau pressure below 30 cm H2O is essential to prevent ventilator-induced lung injury. Plateau pressure reflects the pressure exerted on the alveoli and is an important parameter in mechanical ventilation. Keeping it below this threshold helps to minimize stress and strain on the lungs, which can be particularly fragile in ARDS patients.

The ARDSnet protocol emphasizes lung-protective strategies, including low tidal volume ventilation, to mitigate the risk of further lung damage. Studies have demonstrated that a plateau pressure above 30 cm H2O is associated with increased mortality and complications in ARDS patients, emphasizing that adhering to this target is critical in clinical practice to improve outcomes.

While other values are mentioned, they reflect higher thresholds that do not align with current best practices for ARDS management, which prioritize lung protection and tailored pressure settings to enhance patient safety and care quality.