Clinical experiences with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in newborns with severe respiratory distress syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To generate hypotheses about which subgroups of newborns with severe respiratory distress syndrome might benefit most from high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of a case series of newborns with severe respiratory distress syndrome who were treated in our department with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.


METHODS
Referral center for neonatal and pediatric intensive care medicine.


METHODS
All newborns (n = 18), admitted between June 1991 and February 1993, of various gestational ages (26 to 41 wks), with severe respiratory distress syndrome caused by various underlying pulmonary diseases who did not respond to conventional therapy and who thus were treated with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.


METHODS
Survival until discharge from our unit and persistent improvement of gas exchange.


RESULTS
Eight (44%) of 18 patients survived; ten (55%) patients died. Four (22%) survivors showed marked clinical improvement with the initiation of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Four (22%) survivors did not respond to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. The responder group consisted of term or near-term neonates (gestational age at least 35 wks) with pulmonary disease that was complicated by persistent pulmonary hypertension. The group of premature neonates with a gestational age of < 35 wks did not respond to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.


CONCLUSIONS
As a result of our analysis, we hypothesize that term newborns with severe respiratory distress syndrome complicated by persistent pulmonary hypertension and hypercarbia can benefit from high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Premature neonates with ventilation-induced lung injury are not likely to respond to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.
Vierzig
A
A
Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, FRG.
Günther
M
M
Kribs
A
A
Roth
B
B
D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006612:High-Frequency Ventilation; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies