The Association between Mechanical Power and Mortality in Patients with Pneumonia Using Pressure-Targeted Ventilation

Recent studies have reported that mechanical power (MP) is associated with increased mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We aimed to investigate the association between 28-day mortality and MP in patients with severe pneumonia. In total, the data of 313 patients with severe pneumonia were used for analysis. Serial MP was calculated daily for either 21 days or until ventilator support was no longer required. Compared with the non-ARDS group, the ARDS group (106 patients) demonstrated lower age, a higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, lower history of diabetes mellitus, elevated incidences of shock and jaundice, higher MP and driving pressure on Day 1, and more deaths within 28 days. Regression analysis revealed that MP was an independent factor associated with 28-day mortality (odds ratio, 1.048; 95% confidence interval, 1.020–1.077). MP was persistently high in non-survivors and low in survivors among the ARDS group, the non-ARDS group, and all patients. These findings indicate that MP is associated with the 28-day mortality in ventilated patients with severe pneumonia, both in the ARDS and non-ARDS groups. MP had a better predicted value for the 28-day mortality than the driving pressure.