Figure 3

An alternative technique to assess recruitment: the equal pressure technique. Illustration of the technique proposed by Mergoni and colleagues who measured recruitment without performing pressure–volume curves. Recruitment is computed by comparing the volume expired after pressure breaths performed with the same distending pressure but at different positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels (5–15 cmH₂O). (a-c) Difference corresponding to the recruitment related to the different PEEP levels studied. Modified from [25]. P_ao, airway pressure; Vol, volume; V_E, expired volume.