Comparison of the PaO2/FiO2 Ratio to Other Oxygenation Indexes for the Classification of Severity of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Comparison of the PaO2/FiO2 Ratio to Other Oxygenation Indexes for the Classification of Severity of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

In mechanically ventilated patients the PaO2/FiO2 ratio might not be the best reflection of the severity of ARDS. It does not incorporate variables and settings used during mechanical ventilatory support such as the positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), inspiratory time to expiratory time ratio (Ti:Te), and the peak alveolar pressure (Palv). The aim is to identify a new oxygenation index for stratification of severity of ARDS

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit.
• Patients in whom the managing medical team requested an arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients in whom arterial blood gas could not be obtained or not ordered.