Ilia S, Geromarkaki E, Briassoulis P, et al. - In the present study, the researchers sought to test the assumption that subjects at risk of ARDS relative to ARDS are characterized by higher end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) or respiratory system compliance (C _RS) and lower distending pressure (stress) applied on the lung or parenchymal deformation (strain) during mechanical ventilation. Consecutively admitted participants meeting the PALICC ARDS criteria were deemed eligible for inclusion in this study. In total, 896 measurements were longitudinally calculated in 32 mechanically ventilated participants (n = 15 patients with ARDS; n = 17 patients at risk for ARDS). Longitudinally, C _RS and EELV were lower and strain and stress were higher in patients with ARDS relative to patients at risk for ARDS. At PEEP values of 4 or 10 cm H ₂ O, such parameters behaved differently over time. Strain and stress in both groups remained within safe limits at these PEEP levels.