Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a critical condition characterized by acute hypoxemia, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and decreased lung compliance. The Berlin definition, updated in 2012, classifies ARDS severity based on the partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fractional inspired oxygen fraction ratio. Despite various treatment strategies, ARDS remains a significant public health concern with high mortality rates. AIM: To evaluate the implications of driving pressure (DP) in ARDS management and its potential as a protective lung strategy. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review using databases including EbscoHost, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The search was limited to articles published between January 2015 and September 2024. Twenty-three peer-reviewed articles were selected based on inclusion criteria focusing on adult ARDS patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and DP strategies. The literature review was conducted and reported according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. RESULTS: DP, the difference between plateau pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure, is crucial in ARDS management. Studies indicate that lower DP levels are significantly associated with improved survival rates in ARDS patients. DP is a better predictor of mortality than tidal volume or positive end-expiratory pressure alone. Adjusting DP by optimizing lung compliance and minimizing overdistension and collapse can reduce ventilator-induced lung injury. CONCLUSION: DP is a valuable parameter in ARDS management, offering a more precise measure of lung stress and strain than traditional metrics. Implementing DP as a threshold for safety can enhance protective ventilation strategies, potentially reducing mortality in ARDS patients. Further research is needed to refine DP measurement techniques and validate its clinical application in diverse patient populations.