HIGH-INFLATION PRESSURE AND POSITIVE END-EXPIRATORY PRESSURE - INJURIOUS TO THE LUNG - NO

Recent published reports have arrived at conflicting conclusions regar ding the potential adverse effects of high-inflation pressure on venti lator-induced lung injury. The contribution of positive end-expiratory pressure to high airway pressure-induced lung injury is even more con troversial. Oxygen toxicity, macrobarotrauma, and volutrauma interact to produce ventilator-induced lung injury. This article explores the m any manifestations of ventilator-induced lung injury and the means pro posed to prevent or limit its physiologic effects.