Effect of closed endotracheal suction in high-frequency ventilated premature infants measured with electrical impedance tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the global and regional changes in lung volume during and after closed endotracheal tube (ETT) suction in high-frequency ventilated preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).


METHODS
Prospective observational clinical study.


METHODS
Neonatal intensive care unit.


METHODS
Eleven non-muscle relaxed preterm infants with RDS ventilated with open lung high-frequency ventilation (HFV).


METHODS
Closed ETT suction.


RESULTS
Changes in global and regional lung volume were measured with electrical impedance tomography. ETT suction resulted in an acute loss of lung volume followed by spontaneous recovery with a median residual loss of 3.3% of the maximum volume loss. The median stabilization time was 8 s. At the regional level, the lung volume changes during and after ETT suction were heterogeneous in nature.


CONCLUSIONS
Closed ETT suction causes an acute, transient and heterogeneous loss of lung volume in premature infants with RDS treated with open lung HFV.
van Veenendaal
Mariëtte B
MB
Department of Neonatology (H3-144), Emma Children's Hospital AMC, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Miedema
Martijn
M
de Jongh
Frans H C
FH
van der Lee
Johanna H
JH
Frerichs
Inez
I
van Kaam
Anton H
AH
D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008170:Lung Compliance; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*; D014054:Tomography