Advanced respiratory mechanics assessment in mechanically ventilated obese and non-obese patients with or without acute respiratory distress syndrome

Most respiratory mechanics features are similar in obese non-ARDS and non-obese ARDS patients, but end-expiratory esophageal pressure is higher in obese patients. A complete airway closure can be found in around 25% of critically ill patients ventilated with a PEEP of 5 cmH₂O. Advanced explorations may allow to better characterize individual respiratory mechanics and adjust ventilation strategies in some patients. Trial registration NCT03420417 ClinicalTrials.gov (February 5, 2018).