Rationale: Unphysiologic strain (the ratio between tidal volume and functional residual capacity) and stress (the transpulmonary pressure) can cause ventilator-induced lung damage. Objectives: To identify a strain–stress threshold (if any) above which ventilator-induced lung damage can occur. Methods: Twenty-nine healthy pigs were mechanically ventilated for 54 hours with a tidal volume producing a strain between 0.45 and 3.30. Ventilator-induced lung damage was defined as net increase in lung weight. Measurements and Main Results: Initial lung weight and functional residual capacity were measured with computed tomography. Final lung weight was measured using a balance. After setting tidal volume, data collection included respiratory system mechanics, gas exchange and hemodynamics (every 6 h); cytokine levels in serum (every 12 h) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (end of the experiment); and blood laboratory examination (start and end of the experiment). Two clusters of animals could be clearly identified: animals that increased their lung weight (n = 14) and those that did not (n = 15). Tidal volume was 38 ± 9 ml/kg in the former and 22 ± 8 ml/kg in the latter group, corresponding to a strain of 2.16 ± 0.58 and 1.29 ± 0.57 and a stress of 13 ± 5 and 8 ± 3 cm H₂O, respectively. Lung weight gain was associated with deterioration in respiratory system mechanics, gas exchange, and hemodynamics, pulmonary and systemic inflammation and multiple organ dysfunction. Conclusions: In healthy pigs, ventilator-induced lung damage develops only when a strain greater than 1.5–2 is reached or overcome. Because of differences in intrinsic lung properties, caution is warranted in translating these findings to humans.

Tidal volume (VT) and volume of gas caused by positive end-expiratory pressure (VPEEP) generate dynamic and static lung strains, respectively. Our aim was to clarify whether different combinations of dynamic and static strains, resulting in the same large global strain, constantly produce lung edema. Laboratory investigation. Animal unit. Twenty-eight healthy pigs. After lung computed tomography, 20 animals were ventilated for 54 hours at a global strain of 2.5, either entirely dynamic (VT 100% and VPEEP 0%), partly dynamic and partly static (VT 75–50% and VPEEP 25–50%), or mainly static (VT 25% and VPEEP 75%) and then killed. In eight other pigs (VT 25% and VPEEP 75%), VPEEP was abruptly zeroed after 36–54 hours and ventilation continued for 3 hours. Edema was diagnosed when final lung weight (balance) exceeded the initial weight (computed tomography). Mortality, lung mechanics, gas exchange, pulmonary histology, and inflammation were evaluated. All animals ventilated with entirely dynamic strain (VT 825 ± 424 mL) developed pulmonary edema (lung weight from 334 ± 38 to 658 ± 99 g, p < 0.01), whereas none of those ventilated with mainly static strain (VT 237 ± 21 mL and VPEEP 906 ± 114 mL, corresponding to 19 ± 1 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure) did (from 314 ± 55 to 277 ± 46 g, p = 0.65). Animals ventilated with intermediate combinations finally had normal or largely increased lung weight. Smaller dynamic and larger static strains lowered mortality (p < 0.01), derangement of lung mechanics (p < 0.01), and arterial oxygenation (p < 0.01), histological injury score (p = 0.03), and bronchoalveolar interleukin-6 concentration (p < 0.01). Removal of positive end-expiratory pressure did not result in abrupt increase in lung weight (from 336 ± 36 to 351 ± 77 g, p = 0.51). Lung edema forms (possibly as an all-or-none response) depending not only on global strain but also on its components. Large static are less harmful than large dynamic strains, but not because the former merely counteracts fluid extravasation.

Since its introduction into the management of the acute respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilation has been so strongly interwoven with its side effects that it came to be considered as invariably dangerous. Over the decades, attention has shifted from gross barotrauma to volutrauma and, more recently, to atelectrauma and biotrauma. In this article, we describe the anatomical and physiologic framework in which ventilator-induced lung injury may occur. We address the concept of lung stress/strain as applied to the whole lung or specific pulmonary regions. We challenge some common beliefs, such as separately studying the dangerous effects of different tidal volumes (end inspiration) and end-expiratory positive pressures. Based on available data, we suggest that stress at rupture is only rarely reached and that high tidal volume induces ventilator-induced lung injury by augmenting the pressure heterogeneity at the interface between open and constantly closed units. We believe that ventilator-induced lung injury occurs only when a given threshold is exceeded; below this limit, mechanical ventilation is likely to be safe.

Tocilizumab is an IL-6 receptor-blocking agent proposed for the treatment of severe COVID-19. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the rationale for the use of tocilizumab for the treatment of COVID-19 and to summarize the available evidence regarding its efficacy and safety. MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, pre-print repositories (bioRxiv and medRxiv) and two trial Registries were searched for studies on the use of tocilizumab in COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 infection, viral pneumonia, and/or sepsis until 20th June 2020. We identified 3 indirect pre-clinical studies and 28 clinical studies including 5776 patients with COVID-19 (13 with a comparison group, 15 single-arm). To date, no randomized trials have been published. We retrieved no studies at low risk of bias. Forty-five ongoing studies were retrieved from trial registries. There is insufficient evidence regarding the clinical efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in patients with COVID-19. Its use should be considered experimental, requiring ethical approval and clinical trial oversight.