[Optimal expiratory positive pressure during artificial ventilation. Application in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in the adult (author's transl)].

In a group of 14 patients (7 males and 7 females) ventilated artificially for acute respiratory distress syndrome, the authors defined a level of optimal expiratory positive pressure giving an FiO2 = 1, an arterial pO2 greater than or equal to 400 mmhg and/or an intrapulmonary shunt less than or equal to 15%. Improvement in arterial pO2 under such conditions would appear to be related to maximum alveolar recrutment. This optimal level of expiratory positive pressure would appear to be independent of values of total static pulmonary compliance. The long term use of this technique would seem to be encouraging.