Haemodynamic and respiratory mechanics in cardiogenic pulmonary oedema patients: a clinical bedside study

Objective: To examine whether there is any difference in respiratory mechanics in patients with cardiogenic pulmonary oedema with and without shock. Design: Prospective observational study with follow-up to hospital discharge. Setting: A 17-bed medical and coronary intensive care unit in a 650-bed general hospital. Subjects: Thirty-eight adult patients mechanically ventilated for acute pulmonary oedema. Measurements and main results: Respiratory mechanics, including static inflation compliance of the total respiratory system, flow-dependent component inspiratory resistance, viscoelastic/volume redistribution inspiratory resistance component and intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure were obtained immediately after tracheal intubation in every patient. A diagnosis of shock was established before tracheal intubation using clinical criteria. Eighteen patients had shock (Group I) and 20 did not (Group II). The overall population studied was characterised by low compliance (38.5±10.3 ml/cm H2O), high airwa...