Table 1 Patient characteristics at baseline

Age (years)

70 [12]

M/F ratio

25/5

SAPS II

55 [14]

Source of sepsis

 Lung (n (%))

22 (73%)

 Abdomen (n (%))

6 (20%)

 Catheter (n (%))

2 (7%)

Lactate (mmol/L)

2.6 [3.8]

PaO₂/FiO₂ (mmHg)

142 [132–198]

Tidal volume (mL/kg predicted body weight)

4.8 [0.9]

Respiratory rate (breaths/min)

30 [16]

PEEP (cmH₂O)

11 [4]

Plateau pressure (cmH₂O)

26 [4]

Compliance of the respiratory system (mL/cmH₂O)

36 [10]