A comparison of high rate, low tidal volume ventilation and conventional ventilation in the management of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

INTERVENTION: Randomised controlled trial. Random allocation to: 1. New Treatment ‐ high respiratory rate, low tidal volume ventilation 2. Standard Treatment ‐ conventional ventilation 13/09/2012: Please note that this trial was stopped due to a lack of participants. CONDITION: Acute respiratory distress ; Respiratory ; Injury of other and unspecified intrathoracic organs PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Ventilator free days in first 28 days; 2. Reduced production of IL‐6, IL‐8 IL‐10 Neutrophil count and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in response to ventilation SECONDARY OUTCOME: Not provided at time of registration INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation who have an acute decrease in ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen reaching the criteria for ALI and ARDS set by the American‐European consensus conference committee