In recent pearls we have talked about 'lung protective' ventilation strategies to reduce volutrauma, barotrauma, and oxygen toxicity.
Using 'lung protective' strategies, such as low tidal volumes, results in higher levels of CO2 and a lower pH. These are tolerated in favor of lower and safer alveolar pressures.
In addition to higher pCO2 values and lower pH, oxygenation goals are slightly lower than conventional teaching.
In these patients, you want to maintain SpO2 > 88% and PaO2 > 55 mm Hg.
