Can sighs save lives in mechanically ventilated patients? (SiVent trial)

Induced sighs in mechanically ventilated patients (SiVent trial)

In the 1960s, anesthesiologists noticed that if they gave a large breath (a “sigh”) to anesthetized patients every so often, their oxygenation improved. More seemed better, and soon all ventilated patients were getting lung-straining tidal volumes of 10-15 ml/kg. Those with persistent hypox…