What is the primary goal of using high PEEP in ARDS management?

The primary goal of using high Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) in the management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is to prevent further lung injury and enhance oxygenation. High PEEP helps to recruit collapsed or poorly ventilated alveoli by keeping them open at the end of expiration. This recruitment leads to an increase in functional residual capacity and improved gas exchange, which is crucial for patients with ARDS who often suffer from ventilation-perfusion mismatching and areas of atelectasis (collapsed lung tissue).

By improving oxygenation, high PEEP helps to reduce the severity of hypoxemia, which is a common and dangerous condition in ARDS patients. Additionally, preventing further lung injury is essential as patients with ARDS are particularly vulnerable due to the inflammatory processes affecting their lungs. High PEEP can help stabilize lung mechanics and reduce the risk of further damage that could result from repetitive opening and closing of the alveoli during mechanical ventilation.

In contrast, other options focus on outcomes that are not directly aligned with the primary therapeutic goals in ARDS management. For example, while decreased lung compliance and carbon dioxide retention may occur with mechanical ventilation adjustments, they are not intended targets of using high PEEP. Similarly, stimulating spontaneous