Correlation analysis between mechanical power, transforming growth factor-β1, and connective tissue growth factor levels in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients and their clinical significance in pulmonary structural remodeling

BACKGROUND: To identify the clinical correlations between mechanical power and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients, their clinical significance in pulmonary structural remodeling in ARDS patients was investigated. METHODS: Ninety-five patients with moderate or severe ARDS, who required mechanical ventilation therapy, were randomly selected among hospitalized patients from January 2017 to February 2019. Their mechanical power was monitored and recorded, the TGF-β1 and CTGF levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), their relevance was analyzed, and the relationship between mechanical power and 28-day survival rate was investigated. According to the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) examination, the patients were divided into an ARDS group and an ARDS pulmonary fibrosis (ARDS-PF) group. The differences in mechanical power, TGF-β1, and CTGF between the 2 groups were compared, and the significance of TGF-β1 and CTGF in the diagnosis of ARDS pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were evaluated. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation between mechanical power and serum TGF-β1 and CTGF in patients with ARDS was found and the correlation coefficients were 0.424 and 0.581, respectively. The difference between mechanical power and 28-day survival rate was statistically significant (P < .05), while the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of TGF-β1 and CTGF for the diagnosis of ARDS pulmonary fibrosis was 0.838 and 0.884, respectively (P < .05). CONCLUSION: A significant correlation between mechanical power and serum fibrosis biomarkers TGF-β1 and CTGF in ARDS patients was found, and its level was related to the survival prognosis of patients. Mechanical power, TGF-β1, and CTGF were clinically evaluated for the assessment of lung structural remodeling, such as ARDS pulmonary fibrosis. This study has particular significance to the early prevention of ventilator-induced lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis in patients with ARDS receiving mechanical ventilation.