Lung recruitment using oxygenation during open lung high-frequency ventilation in preterm infants.
BACKGROUND
Changes in oxygenation are often used to guide the recruitment procedure during open lung high-frequency ventilation in preterm infants. However, data on the feasibility and safety of this approach in daily clinical practice are limited.


OBJECTIVE
To prospectively collect data on ventilator settings, gas exchange, and circulatory parameters before and after surfactant therapy during open lung high-frequency ventilation.


METHODS
In 103 preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome, the opening, closing, and optimal pressures were determined during high-frequency ventilation by increasing and decreasing stepwise the continuous distending pressure, defining optimal recruitment as adequate oxygenation using a fraction of inspired oxygen not exceeding 0.25. This procedure was repeated after each surfactant treatment.


RESULTS
The mean presurfactant opening and optimal continuous distending pressures were, respectively, 20.5 +/- 4.3 and 14.0 +/- 4.0 cm H2O, with a fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.24 +/- 0.04. Surfactant treatment enabled a reduction in the mean optimal pressure of almost 6 cm H2O without compromising oxygenation. Blood pressure and heart rate remained stable and no air leaks were observed during the recruitment procedures. The mortality rate and the incidence of severe intracranial hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia and chronic lung disease at 36 wk were comparable to previously reported data.


CONCLUSIONS
Open lung high-frequency ventilation using oxygenation to guide the recruitment process is feasible and safe in preterm infants and enables a reduction of the fraction of inspired oxygen below 0.25 in the majority of preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
De Jaegere
Anne
A
Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van Veenendaal
Mariëtte B
MB
Michiels
Agnes
A
van Kaam
Anton H
AH
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006612:High-Frequency Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants