PURPOSE Cerebral desaturation occurs frequently in patients undergoing one-lung ventilation for thoracic surgery. The mechanism of this desaturation is unclear regarding its etiology. The objective of this study was to investigate whether or not decreases in cerebral oxygen saturation associated with one-lung ventilation were a consequence of decreased cardiac output. METHODS A blinded observ...

Key points † Mechanical ventilation can have adverse effects on pulmonary function by several distinct mechanisms. † Patients undergoing one-lung ventilation or cardiopulmonary bypass are at increased risk of developing acute lung injury (ALI). † Protective ventilatory strategies may prevent or reduce ALI. † There is a lack of randomized controlled trials to guide optimal intra-operative ventil...