Comparison of Two Methods of High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation in Individuals With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

ARDS is a serious condition that involves lung inflammation and fluid accumulation in the air sacs, leading to low blood oxygen levels and respiratory failure. It is often fatal and affects approximately 160,000 individuals each year in the United States. The main form of treatment for ARDS is delivery of oxygen and a continuous level of pressure to the damaged lungs through mechanical ventilation. However, some methods of mechanical ventilation may cause ventilator-associated lung injury (VALI), a condition that can result from overdistension of the lungs during inspiration or from excessive mechanical forces. VALI can delay or prevent healing from respiratory failure. HFOV is a mechanical ventilation method that pumps small amounts of air into the lungs at a constant high rate. Because the increments of air are small the likelihood of experiencing overdistension and developing VALI may be reduced. While HFOV is an effective, commonly used ventilation method, there have been no studies that demonstrate the efficacy of HFOV in comparison to the efficacy of conventional mechanical ventilation methods. This study will compare two different HFOV techniques: the HFOV-Hi method, which uses higher airway pressure, and the HFOV-Lo method, which uses lower airway pressure. The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of HFOV-Hi, HFOV-Lo, and standard mechanical ventilation methods in individuals with ARDS. This study will enroll individuals with ARDS at four Baltimore hospitals. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either HFOV-Hi or HFOV-Lo. All participants will receive their assigned HFOV method for 7 days, until spontaneous breathing occurs, or until death, whichever occurs first. Blood collected at baseline and Days 1 and 3 will be analyzed for markers of inflammation and lung injury. Participants' clinical status will be monitored until they no longer need ventilation and return home, or for up to 60 days while in the hospital. Individuals being treated for ARDS at the participating hospitals who decline to enroll in the study will be asked for permission to monitor their medical progress. These individuals will not take part in any study procedures, but their clinical information will be used for comparison purposes. Additionally, clinical information on other ARDS patients admitted to the hospital over the previous 2 years will be analyzed.