What is the primary mode of ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?

In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the primary mode of ventilation is low tidal volume ventilation. This approach is based on the understanding that large tidal volumes can exacerbate lung injury, which is a significant concern in ARDS due to the inflammatory processes and damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane.

Low tidal volume ventilation aims to minimize the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury by delivering smaller breaths, which helps to reduce barotrauma and volutrauma. This strategy also encourages better distribution of ventilation throughout the lung and helps maintain adequate lung mechanics without causing further harm to already compromised lung tissue. Utilizing this method aligns with current guidelines and research that indicate reduced mortality and improved outcomes for ARDS patients.

This method contrasts with high tidal volume ventilation, which can cause overdistension of alveoli; non-invasive ventilation may not provide adequate support for the severity of respiratory failure commonly seen in ARDS; and while assisted ventilation using pressure support can be beneficial, it's generally used in less severe cases or different conditions rather than as a primary mode for ARDS management.