Components of Mechanical Power on the Functional Lung in ARDS

Mechanical power (MP) is a composite variable that integrates static and dynamic respiratory parameters and has been associated with ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). MP is predominantly delivered to the reduced functional lung size, commonly referred to as the "baby lung" (BL). Functional lung size, in turn, is closely related to respiratory system compliance (Crs). Previous studies have demonstrated an association between MP normalized to compliance (MP/Crs) and mortality. Moreover, evidence suggests that VILI associated with MP/Crs results primarily from the combined effect of its components rather than from any single component in isolation.

The objective of this study is to evaluate both the overall and the relative contribution of each component of mechanical power, normalized to compliance (MP/Crs), to in-hospital mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).