Body cast protects against positive pressure ventilation

The effect of limited intrathoracic expansion by means of a body cast on ventilator-induced lung injury in rabbits. Rabbits were ventilated with 15, 30, and 45 cmH20 peak inspiratory pressure for one hour. Lung injury was assessed by changes in the capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc). The closed chest group had increasing lung injury at 30 and 45 cmH20 peak inspiratory pressures; this complication was completely prevented by the presence of a body cast, indicating that the injury is due to the high tidal volumes induced at these airway pressures ("volutrauma") and not the high airway pressure itself.