Fig. 3
Effect of modifying PEEP on respiratory effort and lung-distending pressure. There was no difference in ∆Pes, ∆PL,dyn, or the probability of meeting lung- and diaphragm-protective targets between higher or lower PEEP levels (A, B). The effects of higher vs. lower PEEP on ΔPes and ΔPL,dyn, varied widely between patients according to the effect of changing PEEP on dynamic lung compliance (C). The probability of meeting LDP targets at the PEEP level associated with higher dynamic lung compliance was greater in comparison to the PEEP level associated with lower dynamic lung compliance (D). Error bars represent 25th and 75th percentiles with median (circle). LDP: lung and diaphragm protection, ∆Pes: esophageal pressure swing, ∆PL,dyn: dynamic transpulmonary driving pressure, CL,dyn: dynamic lung compliance, PEEP: positive end-expiratory pressure