permissive hypercapnia
Ventilation strategy allowing elevated CO2 levels to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury in patients with ARDS.
Full Definition
Permissive hypercapnia is a lung-protective ventilation strategy that accepts higher than normal arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2 >45 mmHg) to avoid excessive tidal volumes and airway pressures that can cause ventilator-induced lung injury. This approach is commonly used in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) where maintaining normal CO2 levels would require potentially harmful ventilator settings. The strategy prioritizes prevention of barotrauma and volutrauma over normalization of blood gases, accepting respiratory acidosis while monitoring for adverse effects such as increased intracranial pressure or cardiac arrhythmias.
Usage
Usage note: Document target CO2 range and pH limits when implementing this strategy.
In Context
- "Permissive hypercapnia was employed to maintain lung-protective ventilation settings." — ICU respiratory therapy note
- "The patient tolerated permissive hypercapnia with pH maintained above 7.25." — Critical care progress note