Managing Hypercapnia in Patients with Severe ARDS and Low Respiratory System Compliance: The Role of Esophageal Pressure Monitoring—A Case Cohort Study

PURPOSE Patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and hypercapnia present a formidable treatment challenge. We examined the use of esophageal balloon for assessment of transpulmonary pressures to guide mechanical ventilation for successful management of severe hypercapnia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with severe ARDS and hypercapnia were studied. Esophageal balloon was inserted and mechanical ventilation was guided by assessment of transpulmonary pressures. Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) and inspiratory driving pressures were adjusted with the aim of achieving tidal volume of 6 to 8 mL/kg based on ideal body weight (IBW), while not exceeding end inspiratory transpulmonary (EITP) pressure of 25 cm H2O. RESULTS Six patients with severe ARDS and hypercapnia were studied. Mean PaCO2 on enrollment was 108.33 ± 25.65 mmHg. One hour after adjustment of PEEP and inspiratory driving pressure guided by transpulmonary pressure, PaCO2 decreased to 64.5 ± 16.89 mmHg (P < 0.01). Tidal volume was 3.96 ± 0.92 mL/kg IBW before and increased to 7.07 ± 1.21 mL/kg IBW after intervention (P < 0.01). EITP pressure before intervention was low with a mean of 13.68 ± 8.69 cm H2O and remained low at 16.76 ± 4.76 cm H2O (P = 0.18) after intervention. Adjustment of PEEP and inspiratory driving pressures did not worsen oxygenation and did not affect cardiac output significantly. CONCLUSION The use of esophageal balloon as a guide to mechanical ventilation was able to treat severe hypercapnia in ARDS patients.