Feasibility and safety of ultra-low tidal volume ventilation without extracorporeal circulation in moderately severe and severe ARDS patients.

Ultra-low tidal volume ventilation may be applied in approximately 2/3 of moderately severe-to-severe ARDS patients, with a 4 cmH2O median reduction in driving pressure, at the price of transient episodes of severe acidosis in approximately 1/3 of the patients.