Table 1

The baseline characteristics of the study population. Plateau pressure, respiratory system compliance and arterial blood gas data were measured during the study, standardised at 5 cmH₂O PEEP.

Characteristics

Value

Age – years

66 ± 10

Female sex – number (%)

9 (30)

BMI – kg/m²

26 ± 8

Tidal volume – ml/kg of predicted body weight

8 ± 1

Minute ventilation – L/minute

7.5 ± 1.8

Respiratory rate – breaths/minute

14 ± 3

Clinical PEEP – cmH₂O

8.3 ± 3.3

Plateau pressure – cmH₂O

19 ± 4

Respiratory system compliance – ml/cmH₂O

43 ± 18

Respiratory system resistance – cmH₂O/L/second

22 ± 9

PaO₂/FiO₂ – mmHg

190 ± 71

FiO₂

0.50 ± 0.13

PaCO₂ – mmHg

41 ± 9

Arterial pH

7.422 ± 0.061

Cause of lung injury – number

Pneumonia

6

Sepsis

11

Aspiration

3

Trauma

5

Other

5

Type of lung injury – number

ARDS

20

Acute lung injury

7

Other (PaO₂/FiO₂ > 300 mmHg)

3

ARDS = acute respiratory distress syndrome; BMI = body mass index; FiO₂ = inspired oxygen fraction; PaCO₂ = partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide; PEEP = positive end expiratory pressure.

Chiumello et al. Critical Care 2008 12:R150   doi:10.1186/cc7139