Methods The VT4COVID study is a randomized, multi-centric prospective open-labeled, controlled superiority trial. We hypothesized that ULTV without extracorporeal circulation is a credible option to reduce COVID-19-related ARDS mortality and duration of mechanical ventilation.
Furthermore, in the context of a worldwide pandemic, it does not require any additional material and consumables and may be applied in low- to middle-income countries. Reducing the tidal volume down to 4 mL kg −1 of predicted body weight (PBW) to provide ultra-low tidal volume ventilation (ULTV) is an appealing technique to minimize ventilator-inducted lung injury. Such as in non-COVID ARDS, harmful mechanical ventilation settings might be associated with worse outcomes.
Abstract Background Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe complication of COVID-19 pneumonia, with a mortality rate amounting to 34–50% in moderate and severe ARDS, and is associated with prolonged duration of invasive mechanical ventilation.
