A Study Of The Correlation Between Extravascular Lung Water And Lung Compliance In Mechanically Ventilated Patients - A Multicentric Study

Abstract

Introduction: Decreased lung compliance in patients requiring ventilator management prolongs the duration of ventilation. This study tested the hypothesis that an increase in extravascular lung water assessed by lung ultrasound was negatively correlated with static lung compliance. Materials and methods:100 patients requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours for primarily respiratory reasons were studied in 4 tertiary care hospitals. Extravascular lung water was measured by sector wise counting of ultrasound B-lines at admission and after 48 hours using a uniform scoring protocol; static lung compliance was measured off the ventilator. A one-way linear regression between the extravascular lung volume score and static lung compliance was performed. A paired t-test was carried out to compare these variables at 48-hour intervals. Results: At both intervals, a negative correlation was seen between extravascular lung water scores and lung compliance.
Conclusion: Increased extravascular lung water has a measurable effect on lung compliance and that measurement by lung ultrasound may be of value in management of the patient, as its detection would lead to measures to decrease extravascular lung water and improve lung compliance