A higher positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) strategy may cause harm in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) whose subphenotype is characterized by less inflammation and lower severity of illness.

The study investigators drew on previous research describing 2 distinct ARDS subphenotypes distinguishable using routinely available clinical data elements.

One subphenotype (type A) was characterized by less severity of illness, less inflammation, lower mortality, and more ventilator-free days than the other subphenotype (type B).

Researchers explored whether patients with ARDS using PEEP had different 28-day mortality depending upon their ARDS subphenotype and the PEEP strategy used.

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