The Effects of Different Ventilator Strategies on Inflammation and Injury in Normal Lungs

The ability to provide mechanical ventilation that will not injure and may protect normal lungs during major surgical procedures of long duration may improve postoperative outcomes and decrease morbidity and mortality. The aim of the current study was to identify ventilator strategies that are less damaging to normal lungs. The investigators plan to compare three ventilation strategies commonly utilized in the operating room in normal lungs. One group will be ventilated with high tidal volume (15 mL/kg PBW) and low PEEP (3 cm H2O), another group ventilated with low tidal volume (6 mL/kg PBW) and low PEEP (3 cm H2O) and the final group ventilated with low tidal volume (6 mL/kg PBW) and high PEEP (10 cm H2O). This study will show the effects of these commonly used methods of ventilation on pulmonary mechanics, systemic and pulmonary inflammatory markers and outcomes in patients with normal lungs undergoing surgery of long duration.