Which combination can improve hypoxemia in ventilated patients?

Increasing PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure) or FiO2 (Fraction of Inspired Oxygen) can significantly improve hypoxemia in ventilated patients. PEEP works by preventing the collapse of alveoli at the end of expiration, thereby improving functional residual capacity and increasing the surface area available for gas exchange. This leads to better oxygenation as more alveoli are available to participate in the exchange process.

Increasing FiO2 directly increases the amount of oxygen available in the lungs for diffusion into the bloodstream, thereby addressing the low levels of oxygen in the patient’s blood. Both methods can independently improve oxygenation, but they are often used in combination to provide a more effective means of addressing hypoxemia, particularly in patients with conditions that impair gas exchange, such as ARDS or pneumonia.

Maintaining or adjusting these parameters can be crucial depending on the patient’s specific status and underlying conditions, making the combination truly effective in improving oxygen saturation and overall respiratory function.