OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of lung-protective ventilation strategy in burn patients with respiratory dysfunction.

METHODSMechanical ventilation was employed in 11 cases of severely burned patients with the pattern of synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation and pressure support ventilation (SIMV + PSV). The tidal volume was set at 6 approximately 8 ml/kg and inspiratory plateau pressure was equal to or less than (

RESULTSSIMV and PSV were applied in these patients for an average of 12.77 +/- 8.06 days. After treatment, the PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio was obviously increased from 193.54 +/- 53.3 to 327.14 +/- 106.53 (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the PaCO(2) and pH values remained at normal range. Five out of 11 patients finally died, in which 3 were due to renal failure and one due to multiple organ dysfunction (MOD).

CONCLUSIONRespiratory support in severely burned patients could be achieved by lung-protective ventilation strategy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Burns ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; physiology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; etiology