Acute effects of instillation of surfactant in severe respiratory distress syndrome.
Doppler ultrasound measurements of pulmonary blood flow in 20 babies with severe respiratory distress syndrome treated in a randomised controlled trial of surfactant replacement showed that the immediate improvement of oxygenation was not associated with a significant increase in pulmonary blood flow. Reduction in ventilator settings and increases in the extent of chest wall movements measured by a cardiorespiratory monitor suggested that the improvement after surfactant had been given was a result of alveolar stabilisation and increased pulmonary compliance. Further simultaneous studies of pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary compliance are needed to confirm these findings.
Halliday
H L
HL
Department of Child Health, Queen's University of Belfast.
McCord
F B
FB
McClure
B G
BG
Reid
M M
MM
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000378:metabolism; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000628:therapy*
D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D010100:Oxygen