Effects of protective mechanical ventilation during general anesthesia in patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery: A randomized controlled trial

•Protective ventilation did not affect the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications after vascular surgery.•Protective ventilation was associated with perioperative hypercapnia in vascular surgery.•Higher levels of PEEP increased the incidence of hypotension in vascular patients.•Higher levels of PEEP might be associated with worse perioperative outcomes in vascular patients.