Use of 'Mechanical Power' as a Predictor of Increased Serum and Pulmonary Proinflammatory Cytokine Concentrations in Patients With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: A Prospective Observational Study

The aim of this study is to report the proportion of patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failyre (AHRF) undergoing mechanical ventilation who exceed 17 J/min of mechanical power (MP) and the difference in terms of proinflammatory cytokine concentration in blood samples and bronchoalveolar lavage. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Which is the proportion of patients who exceed 17 J/min of mechanical power (MP) during the first 72 hours of mechanical ventilation? 2. Is there a difference in terms of cytokine concentration in patients undergoing mechanical power \>17 J/min compared to \<17 J/min? Patients will be divided into two groups based on respiratory mechanics measurements: low MP group (average MP \<17 J/min) and high MP group (average MP ≥17 J/min). The researchers will collect blood and BAL samples and perform cytokine assays.