Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tidal volume (TV) of 8 mL/kg without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and TV of 6 mL/kg with or without PEEP in pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) mode can maintain arterial oxygenation and decrease inspiratory airway pressure effectively during one-lung ventilation (OLV). Methods: The study enrolled 27 patients undergoing thoracic surgery. All patients were ventilated with PCV-VG mode. During OLV, patients were initially ventilated with TV 8 mL/kg (group TV8) without PEEP. Ventilation was subsequently changed to TV 6 mL/kg with PEEP ($5cmH_2O$; group TV6+PEEP) or without (group TV6) in random sequence. Peak inspiratory pressure ($P_{peak}$), mean airway pressure ($P_{mean}$), and arterial blood gas analysis were measured 30 min after changing ventilator settings. Ventilation was then changed once more to add or eliminate PEEP ($5cmH_2O$), while maintaining TV 6 mL/kg. Thirty min after changing ventilator settings, the same parameters were measured once more. Results: The $P_{peak}$ was significantly lower in group TV6 ($19.3{\pm}3.3cmH_2O$) than in group TV8 ($21.8{\pm}3.1cmH_2O$) and group TV6+PEEP ($20.1{\pm}3.4cmH_2O$). $PaO_2$ was significantly higher in group TV8 ($242.5{\pm}111.4mmHg$) than in group TV6 ($202.1{\pm}101.3mmHg$) (p=0.044). There was no significant difference in $PaO_2$ between group TV8 and group TV6+PEEP ($226.8{\pm}121.1mmHg$). However, three patients in group TV6 were dropped from the study because $PaO_2$ was lower than 80 mmHg after ventilation. Conclusion: It is postulated that TV 8 mL/kg without PEEP or TV 6 mL/kg with $5cmH_2O$ PEEP in PCV-VG mode during OLV can safely maintain adequate oxygenation.
