Background
Acute respiratory failure
ACUTE RESPIRATORY FAILURE
Acute respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation (MV) is one of the main indications for pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions. Although the technique of MV itself is lifesaving for patients with impaired gas exchange, it can also cause lung and diaphragm injury by a variety of interacting mechanisms [Individualized monitoring of respiratory effort is necessary for the delivery of lung and diaphragm protective ventilation. Esophageal pressure (Pes) manometry is considered the gold standard for measuring patient inspiratory effort and transpulmonary driving pressure [