Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the patients (n = 19)

Male, n (%)

13 (68.4)

Age (years)

72 ± 10

Body mass index (kg/m²)

28 ± 6

SAPS II score

65 ± 15

Etiology of ARDS, n (%)

 Pneumonia/aspiration

16 (84.2)

 Sepsis

2 (10.5)

 Pancreatitis

1 (5.3)

Organ failure at baseline (SOFA), n (%)

 Hemodynamic

18 (94.7)

 Renal

9 (47.4)

 Hepatic

0 (0)

 Hematological

2 (10.5)

Arterial blood gas

 PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio

92 ± 31

 FiO₂ (%)

80 ± 21

 pH

7.31 ± 0.11

 PaCO₂ (mmHg)

45 ± 10

 HCO_3- (mmol/l)

22.4 ± 4.0

 Base excess

− 3.4 ± 5.1

 Lactates (mmol/l)

1.6 ± 1.0

Hemodynamic variables

 Heart rate (beats/min)

99 ± 27

 Systolic arterial pressure (mmHg)

127 ± 23

 Diastolic arterial pressure (mmHg)

59 ± 12

 Mean arterial pressure (mmHg)

82 ± 13

Respiratory mechanics

 Minute ventilation (L/min)

9.6 ± 1.6

 Tidal volume (ml/kg PBW)

6.1 ± 0.4

 EELV (ml)

1319 ± 626

Aspect of ARDS, n (%)

 Patchy

6 (31.6)

 Diffuse

10 (52.6)

 Focal

3 (15.8)

 Mortality at Hospital discharge

10/19 (53%)