ULTRA-LOW TIDAL VOLUMES AND EXTRACORPOREAL CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL (HEMOLUNG® RAS) IN ARDS PATIENTS. A CLINICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY

Ventilation of ARDS patients with low tidal volume (Vt) is performed in order to minimize ventilation induced lung injury. This strategy, however, may induce hypercapnic acidosis, promote derecruitment and, in some individuals, induce alveolar overdistention despite the use of low Vt. Extracorporeal CO2 removal can help minimizing hypercapnic acidosis and to further reduce Vt (i.e. ultraprotective ventilation).