The concept of mechanical power (MP) has emerged as a comprehensive indicator of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). It integrates the effects of tidal volume, airway pressures, respiratory rate, and flow. However, applying MP as a universal threshold (e.g., 12 J/min) across heterogeneous patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may be inadequate. This review introduces the rheological model, which conceptualizes the lung as a viscoelastic body (i.e., one that exhibits both elastic and viscous properties), and applies it to ARDS ventilation. The rheological model may offer individualized MP thresholds. The potential benefits of adjusting MP based on ideal body weight (J/min/kg) are discussed and, more accurately, on static compliance (J/min/L). Static compliance could better reflect functional lung size, though clinical validation remains needed. Preliminary clinical and modeling evidence suggests that normalized MP correlates more closely with mortality than absolute MP and aligns with pulmonary stress–strain behavior. This normalization provides a more precise risk stratification and facilitates the easier setting of ventilation targets, particularly in patients with low compliance or abnormal body composition. This review clarifies definitions and consolidates evidence, highlights the clinical implications of rheology for lung-protective strategies. MP normalization within a lung-protective strategy could enhance the safety and efficacy of mechanical ventilation; however, clinical validation is still required. This review summarizes the theoretical foundations, supporting evidence, and clinical implications of this approach within the broader context of rheological modeling in ARDS.

Se describen las características de los pacientes susceptibles de cuidados paliativos pediátricos (CPP) de un hospital de segundo nivel, así como la frecuencia de visitas a urgencias, de ingresos y de dispositivos tecnológicos empleados.

The concept of mechanical power (MP) has emerged as a comprehensive indicator of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), integrating the effects of tidal volume, airway pressures, respiratory rate, and flow. However, applying MP as an absolute threshold (e.g., 12 J/min) across heterogeneous patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may be inadequate. This article explores a rheological model for the respiratory system that reconceptualizes the lung as a viscoelastic body and advocates for individualized MP thresholds. We propose adjusting MP based on ideal body weight (J/min/kg) and, more accurately, on static compliance (J/min/L), which better reflects functional lung size ("baby lung") and mechanical vulnerability. This normalization offers a more precise risk stratification and easier setting of ventilation targets, particularly in patients with low compliance or abnormal body composition. Emerging evidence suggests that normalized MP correlates more closely with mortality than absolute MP values and aligns with the physiological stress-strain behavior of pulmonary tissue. Adopting MP normalization within lung-protective strategies could enhance the safety and efficacy of mechanical ventilation, however clinical validation is still required. This review summarizes the theoretical foundations, supporting evidence, and clinical implications of this approach within the broader context of rheological modeling in ARDS.