The “ZEEP-PEEP test” to evaluate the response to positive end-expiratory pressure delivered by helmet: A prospective physiologic study
Résumé
The improvement in oxygenation after helmet application in hypoxemic patients may be explained by the alveolar recruitment obtained with positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) or by the administration of a more accurate inspiratory fraction of oxygen (FiO2). We have designed the "ZEEP-PEEP test", capable to distinguish between the FiO2-related or PEEP-related oxygenation improvement. Our primary aim was to describe the use of this test during helmet CPAP to assess the oxygenation improvement attributable to PEEP application.