Gender Differences In Tidal Volume Limitation - An Icu Database Analysis

Background: ICU patients benefit from low VT ventilation (LTVV). A recent analysis suggests females to receive higher VT. The aim of this analysis is to describe temporal shifts in, and factors affecting VT limitation. Methods: Analysis of the two large longitudinal ICU databases (ICM 2018; 44:1914) that contain granular data of adult patients over 15 years. VT and proportions of patients under LTVV (VT Results: A total of 8207 patients (44% females; 56% males) were selected. VT declined over the years (Fig. panels A-C). Cumulative distribution frequencies showed a persistent difference between females and males over the years (Fig. panels D-F). Use of LTVV increased from 5% to 50% in females vs 12% to 78% in males (gender difference –27% [–29 to –25] %; P Conclusion: VT has declined and LTVV is increasingly used. Females remain at higher risk for not receiving LTVV. This gender difference is driven by anthropometric factors, and not gender per se.