Optimizing Intraoperative Mechanical Ventilation Using EIT-titrated PEEP

Patients submitted to general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation commonly develop pulmonary atelectasis, which can cause adverse consequences either intraoperatively or postoperatively. The use of lower, more physiological tidal volumes (6-8 mL/Kg of ideal body weight) during the intraoperative period can minimize the risk of lung injury but may be associated with increased atelectasis. The application of PEEP can prevent the formation of atelectasis and minimize the resulting complications, but at the present time, there is no consensus on how to tailor the level of PEEP to best suit each patient.

Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) is a portable non-invasive monitor that enables the analysis of lung function in a continuous mode.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), in the intraoperative period, as a tool for selecting "optimal PEEP" using a PEEP titration procedure, as well as assessing the evolution of pulmonary function during this period.

The investigators will prospectively study a total of 40 adult patients (> 18 years) divided into two subgroups: 20 laparoscopic surgery patients and 20 open surgery patients. After induction of anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, all patients will be submitted to a recruitment maneuver in pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) mode (PEEP = 20cmH2O, driving pressure = 20cmH2O, respiratory rate (RR) of 15 ipm and I:E ratio of 1:1) for 2 minutes followed by a decremental PEEP titration. The first step of the titration will start at a PEEP of 20 cmH2O and every 40 seconds PEEP will be decreased by 2 cmH2O, until a final PEEP of 4 cmH2O. A sub-sample of patients will have each step of the PEEP titration procedure recorded with an ultrasound and later evaluated by two different investigators. Optimal PEEP will be defined as that with the best compromise of atelectasis and overdistension as measured by EIT.

Patients in each subgroup will be randomized to one of two ventilatory strategies: (1) PEEP chosen by the PEEP titration procedure; (2) PEEP set at 4 cmH2O. After a new recruitment maneuver PEEP will be set at the designated value and the patient will be ventilated with an inspired oxygen fraction of 50% or greater in order to maintain peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) > 96%, a tidal volume of 6 mL/Kg and a respiratory rate to maintain an end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) between 35-45.