Total respiratory system compliance in asymptomatic infants with cystic fibrosis

Total respiratory system compliance (Crs) was assessed by the weighted spirometer method in 11 asymptomatic infants (mean age, 11.1 months) with cystic fibrosis (CF) who had normal chest radiographs. In addition to Crs, functional residual capacity (FRC), respiratory rate (RR), and mixing index (MI) were measured. There was no significant difference in FRC between normal controls (n = 36) and CF infants (190 +/- 69 versus 186 +/- 63 ml; p less than 0.8), although the CF group had a higher RR (32 +/- 7 versus 37 +/- 7 BPM; p less than 0.05) and a lower MI (45 +/- 7 versus 40 +/- 8%; p less than 0.05), reflecting an abnormal distribution of ventilation. The lower Crs (9.0 +/- 3.4 versus 5.7 +/- 2.8 ml/cm H2O; p less than 0.01) and the lower specific compliance, Crs/FRC (0.049 +/- 0.013 versus 0.029 +/- 0.007 1/cm H2O; p less than 0.0001), in the CF group were the parameters that best distinguished the normal control and CF infants. We conclude that the measurement of Crs represents a noninvasive method for detecting early pulmonary function abnormalities in CF infants.     

Effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on respiratory compliance in children with acute respiratory failure.

We studied the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on the compliance of the respiratory system (Crs) in 25 children (age, 3 weeks to 10 years) requiring mechanical ventilation. Functional residual capacity (FRC) measurements were performed at 2 cm H2O increments, from 0 to 18 cm H2O of PEEP, and the FRC values were regressed versus PEEP. Static Crs, Crs/kg, and specific compliance (Crs/FRC) were calculated for each PEEP level. When FRC normality was reached Crs/kg improved in 15/25 (60%) patients but decreased in 2/25 (8%). Overall, Crs/kg increased from a mean +/- SE of 0.94 +/- 0.09 to 1.35 +/- 0.13 mL/cm H2O/kg (P = 0.003) and Crs/FRC from a mean +/- SE of 0.067 +/- 0.006 to 0.077 +/- 0.007 mL/cm H2O/mL (P = 0.057). The maximum compliance (mean Max Crs/kg, 1.56 +/- 0.12 mL/cm H2O/kg, and mean Max Crs/FRC, 0.089 +/- 0.005 mL/cm H2O/mL) was significantly higher than the compliance at the clinically chosen PEEP level and the compliance at the PEEP that normalized FRC. Maximum compliance was achieved within 4 cm H2O of the PEEP that normalized FRC. In 14/25 (60%) of cases the PEEP at maximum compliance coincided with the PEEP that resulted in FRC normalization. We concluded that static respiratory compliance improves in most (but not all) children with acute respiratory failure when FRC is normalized. Static respiratory compliance reaches maximum levels at PEEP values that are close (but not equal) to those that result in FRC normalization. Thus, assessment of the effect of PEEP on compliance is required in individual patients.     

Decrease in lung volume depends on end-expiratory pressure in a rabbit model of airway lavage.

BACKGROUND: In the past, the rabbit model of repeated airway lavage has been extensively used to induce a decrease in lung volume accompanied by impairment in lung mechanics and gas exchange. OBJECTIVES: The rationale of our study was to investigate the influence of different end-expiratory pressure (EEP) levels (0.4-4.2 cm H2O) on changes in functional residual capacity (FRC) and the efficacy of lavages administered. METHODS: Forty-five rabbits were subjected to 2-8 lavages with 20 ml/kg warm normal saline until arterial/alveolar oxygen tension (a/A ratio) had decreased to 相似文献   

Measurement of ventilatory system compliance in infants and young children

Ventilatory system compliance (Crs) was measured in 32 sedated sleeping infants and young children aged 3-54 months breathing spontaneously through a face mask. Airways were occluded during expiration at different lung volumes above FRC and the corresponding airway pressure was measured. A pressure-volume relationship was then calculated by the least square method. To ensure the presence of the Breuer-Hering inspiratory inhibitory reflex, the percent increase of occluded expiratory time relative to the preceding unoccluded breath was calculated in 28 subjects where several end inspiratory occlusions had been maintained up to the next inspiratory effort. This index ranged from 4 to 100% and correlated negatively with age (r = -0.50, P less than 0.01). Crs ranged from 4.5 to 21.8 ml/cm H2O and correlated best with height (H) (Crs = 5.36 X 10(-4) H2.27, r = 0.94).     

Early treatment of respiratory distress syndrome with bovine surfactant in very preterm infants: a multicenter controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of bovine surfactant (SF-RI 1, Alveofact) administered during the first hour following birth to very premature infants [gestational age (GA), 25-30 weeks] in a multicenter, controlled trial. HYPOTHESIS: Survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; definition: ventilator dependency or FiO2 greater than 0.3 during spontaneous respiration) at day 28 is increased in surfactant-treated infants (sequential analysis). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four infants [GA 28.0 +/- 1.5 SD weeks, birth weight (BW), 1,048 +/- 299 g] received 50 mg/kg BW surfactant, whereas 35 infants (GA, 27.6 +/- 1.5 weeks, BW 969 +/- 269 g) served as controls. Retreatment with surfactant (up to three identical doses) 12-24 hours after the previous dose was permitted if FiO2 was greater than 0.5. RESULTS: Survival without BPD was significantly higher in surfactant treated infants (26/34) compared to controls (14/35; P = 0.003), but in the incidence of pulmonary air leaks, patent ductus arteriosus, intracranial hemorrhage, and nosocomial infections they were not different. CONCLUSION: Bovine surfactant treatment improves survival without BPD in very premature infants at risk for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).     

Compliance measurement in respiratory distress syndrome: the prediction of outcome

Dynamic compliance (Cdyn) measurements within the first three days of life predicted survival in 60 preterm infants suffering from respiratory distress syndrome. Cdyn was measured in 47 survivors at 2.3 +/- 1.4 days of life and in 13 nonsurvivors on 2.7 +/- 1.7 days. All nonsurvivors died from respiratory failure within the first two weeks of life. Mean Cdyn of the survivors was 0.83 +/- 0.33 ml/cm H2O and of the nonsurvivors 0.35 +/- 0.19 ml/cm H2O (p less than 0.001). Cdyn values below 0.45 ml/cm H2O predicted 11 of 13 deaths in infants, and Cdyn measurements above this value predicted 45 of 47 survivals, with a specificity of 81% and a sensitivity of 89%. Eleven of the survivors, who subsequently developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), had a mean Cdyn of 0.56 +/- 0.23 ml/cm H2O. When these infants were matched with infants of comparable weight without evidence of BPD, the BPD group had a significantly lower Cdyn (p less than 0.05). Cdyn measurements during the first three days of life are useful in predicting outcome of respiratory failure secondary to respiratory distress syndrome.     

Serial measurement of pulmonary mechanics assists in weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonates with respiratory failure

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a highly invasive therapy for intractable neonatal respiratory failure, and serious complications may occur with increasing duration of bypass. Weaning from bypass is empirical at present. Thus, there is a need to accurately predict when infants can be successfully decannulated. We hypothesized that pulmonary mechanics would reflect lung recovery and, therefore, predict successful weaning from ECMO. We measured pulmonary mechanics daily in 22 neonates, at gestational age of 37.8 +/- 0.6 weeks (SE) requiring ECMO for severe respiratory failure (oxygen index 66 +/- 6). Pulmonary resistance (Rpul), dynamic compliance (Cdyn), and tidal volume (VT) were measured. Rpul did not predict lung recovery. Cdyn within 24 hours of starting ECMO was 0.3 +/- 0.04 ml/cm H2O. Cdyn within 24 hours of weaning from ECMO was 1.2 +/- 0.09 ml/cm H2O (p less than 0.001). All 22 infants had Cdyn greater than 0.6 ml/cm H2O at the time of decannulation, but four infants (20 percent) with Cdyn less than 0.6 ml/cm H2O could not be weaned from ECMO within 20 hours (p less than 0.01). Thus, a minimum Cdyn of 0.6 ml/cm H2O is associated with successful weaning from ECMO. Cdyn of 0.8 ml/cm H2O provided better overall discrimination between those who could be successfully weaned from ECMO. We conclude that serial measurement of dynamic pulmonary compliance predicts successful weaning from ECMO.     

Delayed compliance increase in infants with respiratory distress syndrome following synthetic surfactant.

Recent research has demonstrated that Exosurf (EXSF), a newly synthesized artificial surfactant, increases survival when administered endotracheally to premature infants with RDS. This study examines the effects of EXSF on static respiratory system compliance (Crs). Thirty-four patients received two doses of EXSF in this rescue protocol. Crs (mL/cmH2O/kg) did not significantly change within the first 4 hours after either dose. However, Crs values did increase significantly (paired Student's t-test, P = 0.005) when data collected after the second dose (0.36 +/- 0.13 mL/cmH2O/kg) were compared to first week follow-up data (0.51 +/- 0.21 mL/cmH2O/kg). Crs data collected between 2 and 4 weeks after treatments were again not significantly different from non-concurrent control data collected at 3-4 weeks of life. The measurement of Crs in infants receiving EXSF may have been affected by an increase in lung inflation, which could mask an increase in Crs. We speculate that improved lung inflation may occur with less barotrauma in the first week of life due to surfactant replacement treatment and may in part explain the improved Crs seen at 1 week of age. Many investigators using different surfactants, dosing schedules, and pulmonary function methodologies to evaluate lung mechanics have reported that the improvement in compliance after surfactant treatment usually follows the clinical improvement in gas exchange. Additional studies are needed to explain the mechanism of early improvement following surfactant replacement in infants with RDS.     

Bronchodilator delivered by metered dose inhaler and spacer improves respiratory system compliance more than nebulizer-delivered bronchodilator in ventilated premature infants

We compared the change in passive respiratory system compliance (Crs) and resistance (Rrs) after albuterol aerosol treatment administered by either low-flow nebulizer (NEB) or a metered dose inhaler (MDI) and spacer into a ventilator circuit. We hypothesized that albuterol delivered to ventilated infants older than 7 days of life by an MDI and a spacer would improve Crs more than albuterol delivered by a low-flow nebulizer. The treatments were administered 6 hr apart to premature infants with Crs < or = 0.8 mL/cm H2O per kg, requiring ventilation after 7 days of age. Patients served as their own controls and treatment order was randomized. Eighteen studies were performed in eight infants before and 1 and 3 hr after treatment. Differences between methods were compared by analyses of variance. Mean (range) birth weight and study age were 888 (619-1,283) g and 12 (7-29) days, respectively. Mean respiratory system compliance increased by 34% with MDI and by 11% with NEB at 1 hr after treatment (P < 0.02). By 3 hr after treatment, Crs returned to baseline with both methods of aerosol delivery. There was no significant difference in Rrs between the two methods at 1 and 3 hr after treatment. We conclude that albuterol delivered by MDI improves Crs more than low-flow NEB in ventilated premature infants.     

An acute reduction in the fraction of inspired oxygen increases airway constriction in infants with chronic lung disease

Infants with chronic lung disease have acute episodes of hypoxemia that are often accompanied by wheezing. To test whether a sudden reduction in FIO2 might increase airway obstruction in such infants, we measured the flow-volume relationship, O2 saturation, and skin-surface CO2 tension in 19 sedated infants, 11 with chronic lung disease, and 8 control infants, before and during 10 min of continuous hypoxemia. In the infants with chronic lung disease, a 20 to 25% reduction in FIO2 caused acute hypoxemia (O2 saturation, 77 +/- 8%) and an associated decrease in mid-expiratory flow from 103 +/- 55 to 69 +/- 37 ml/s (mean +/- SD; p less than 0.05) in the absence of a significant change in tidal volume or skin-surface CO2 tension. In the infants without lung disease, breathing 17% O2 led to a significant increase in minute ventilation (26 +/- 25%; p = 0.05), but there was no consistent change in mid-expiratory flow. To further study the effects of an acute reduction in FIO2 on pulmonary function in infants with chronic lung disease, we measured lung mechanics in 6 infants and end-expiratory lung volume in 5. Baseline lung resistance was high (49 +/- 35 cm/l/s) and increased by 55 +/- 30% (p less than 0.05) in response to hypoxemia. Baseline dynamic lung compliance was low (2.5 +/- 1.5 ml/cm) and decreased by 24 +/- 10% (p less than 0.05). Functional residual capacity increased from 26 +/- 13 to 33 +/- 14 ml/kg (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pulse oximetry: what's normal in the newborn nursery?

The objective of this study was to establish normal values for pulse oximetry saturation (POS) in healthy newborn infants in the nursery. POS values were obtained from the right (R) hand and R foot at admission, 24 hr, and at discharge. The following information was recorded: postnatal age, activity state, gender, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), mode of delivery (MOD), and Apgar scores. Charts were reviewed and follow-up information was obtained for newborns with measurements < or =92%. The study group consisted of a convenience sample of newborn infants, excluding those on supplemental oxygen. Seven hundred eighteen patients were studied: 51% males, 28% cesarean sections, gestational age 39.3+/-1.6 weeks (mean +/- SD), birth weight 3370+/-550 g, and median Apgar scores 8 and 9. The mean POS was 97.2 +/-1.6%, and the median value was 97%. Only postnatal age and activity state affected POS significantly. POS increased 0.17% per 24 hr in the nursery (P = 0. 0001). POS values obtained while the infants were fussy and crying were lower compared to measurements obtained while sleeping [mean decreases: 0.44% while fussy (P = 0.001), 0.98% while crying (P = 0.0001)]. We conclude that newborns in the nursery have an overall mean POS of 97.2% (+/-2 SD: 94-100%). Mean POS values increase to a small degree with increasing postnatal age. Fussy and crying newborns have lower POS values compared to quiet and sleeping newborns. These reference data can be used in the evaluation of POS measurements in symptomatic newborn infants.     

Cord serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroglobulin levels decline with increasing birth weight in newborns

Cord serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and TSH levels were related to birth weight in 3 groups of newborn infants composed of 101 infants. Serum free T3 index, free T4 index, and/or T4 also were determined. Group I consisted of normal term newborns (20 females and 19 males), whose mean +/- SD gestational ages (40.1 +/- 0.7 vs. 40.1 +/- 0.5 weeks) did not differ, but whose mean birth weights (3299 +/- 282 vs. 3757 +/- 447 g) differed significantly (P less than 0.005). In female infants, serum Tg levels (r = -0.401; P less than 0.05) and the log of TSH levels (r = -0.576; P less than 0.005) correlated negatively with birth weight, while Tg levels correlated positively with the log of TSH levels (r = 0.401; P less than 0.05). In contrast, none of these correlations was significant for male infants. However, T4 levels and birth weight correlated positively (r = 0.499; P less than 0.025) in male infants, but not in female infants. Group II consisted of newborns whose birth weights were less than 2500 g (19 females and 19 males). Mean birth weights of female (2032 +/- 301 g) and male (1850 +/- 413 g) infants did not differ significantly (P greater than 0.05). Both the Tg levels and the log of the TSH levels correlated negatively with birth weight in female (Tg, r = -0.891 and P less than 0.005; log TSH, r = 0.600 and P less than 0.005) and male (Tg, r = -0.849 and P less than 0.005; log TSH, r = -0.660; P less than 0.005) infants. Also, Tg levels correlated positively with the log of the TSH levels in female (r = 0.554; P less than 0.01) and male (r = 0.412; P less than 0.05) infants. Free T4 index levels correlated positively with free T3 index levels in female (r = 0.443; P less than 0.05) and male (r = 0.570; P less than 0.01) infants. Group III consisted of 12 normal female term newborns whose mean birth weight (3685 +/- 623 g) was not significantly (P less than 0.2) different from that of the males of group I, and 12 normal male term newborns whose mean birth weight (4104 +/- 248 g) was significantly (P less than 0.005) greater than that of the males of group I. Unlike in lower weight female or male infants, serum Tg levels did not correlate with birth weight or the log of TSH levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Lung function at follow-up of infants with surgically correctable anomalies

Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) or anterior wall defects (AWD) can suffer abnormal antenatal lung growth, the risk, however, may be greater for CDH infants. The objectives of this study were to test the hypothesis that following surgical correction, CDH infants would have worse lung function at follow‐up than AWD infants and to determine whether fetal lung volume (FLV) results correlated with the lung function results at follow‐up. Thirteen infants with CDH and 13 infants with AWD had lung function measurements at a median age of 11 (range 6–24) months; 17 of the infants had had their FLV assessed. Lung function was assessed by plethysmographic measurement of lung volume (FRCpleth) and airway resistance (Raw). In addition, functional residual capacity was assessed by a helium gas dilution technique (FRCHe); tidal breathing parameters (T_PTEF:Te) and compliance and resistance of the respiratory system (Crs and Rrs, respectively) were also determined. FLV was assessed using three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound and virtual organ computer aided analysis. The CDH compared to the AWD infants had a higher median FRCpleth (41 ml/kg vs. 37 ml/kg, P = 0.043) and a lower median Crs (1.45 ml/cm H₂O/kg vs. 2.78 ml/cm H₂O/kg, P = 0.041). FRCpleth results correlated significantly with FLV results (r = 0.721, P < 0.001). In conclusion, infants with CDH had significantly different lung function at follow‐up than AWD infants. Our findings suggest FLV results may predict lung function abnormalities at follow‐up in infants with surgically correctable anomalies. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012. 47:973–978. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Tidal volume reduction in ARDS. Effect on cardiac output and arterial oxygenation

During continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPPV), mean airway pressure and lung volume will be influenced both by the tidal volume (VT) employed and the amount of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). The effect of varying levels of CPPV on PaO2 and cardiac output (Q) has been previously assessed by adjusting the level of PEEP at constant VT. This study examined the influence of a 200-ml reduction in VT, at a constant PEEP of 15 cm H2O, on the PaO2 and Q of 21 patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The relationship between change in Q and change in total respiratory system compliance (Cst) after VT reduction was also examined. VT reduction from 14.1 +/- 0.8 ml/kg to 11.2 +/- 0.9 ml/kg yielded an increase in Q (+ 15 +/- 12 percent, p less than 0.01) without a significant change in PaO2 (-6.3 +/- 15.0 mm Hg, p = 0.08). Cst increased with VT reduction (+ 3.1 +/- 1.8 ml/cm H2O). There was only a modest correlation (r = +0.42, p = 0.06) between delta Q percent and delta Cst following VT reduction. VT reduction at high level PEEP may yield a significant improvement in Q and net O2 delivery, but the degree of hemodynamic improvement is variable and is not reliably predicted noninvasively by measurement of Cst.     

Inspiratory muscle strength and body composition in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition therapy

We examined the relationship between inspiratory muscle strength and body composition in 59 patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Inspiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring maximal inspiratory pressure (Pm) after a tidal expiration, with the patient supine and the nose occluded. Body composition was determined by multiple isotope dilution. Body cell mass (BCM) and extracellular mass were estimated by measuring total exchangeable potassium (Ke) and total exchangeable sodium (Nae), respectively; Nae/Ke, an index of the nutritional state, was calculated from these values. The effect of changes in muscle mass was evaluated in 29 of the patients by simultaneous determination of Pm and body composition, prior to and at 2-wk intervals during TPN therapy. The Pm was lower (mean +/- 1 SE:33.5 +/- 2.8 cm H2O) in malnourished patients than in those who were in the normal Nae/Ke range (45.3 +/- 4.8 cm H2O, p less than 0.05). Loss of strength was related to reduction in muscle mass because BCM was also reduced in malnourished patients (15.6 +/- 0.8 kg) when compared to those with normal Nae/Ke (19.3 +/- 0.9 kg), (p less than 0.05), and Pm was positively correlated with BCM (r = 0.27, p less than 0.01). Changes in BCM were accompanied by appropriate changes in Pm during the study period (r = 0.44, p less than 0.01); the majority (21 patients) showed improvement in both BCM and Pm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Distal lung dysfunction at night in nocturnal asthma

We have previously shown that patients with nocturnal worsening of asthma (nocturnal asthma) exhibit increased parenchymal inflammation at night. To evaluate the functional significance of this parenchymal inflammation, 10 subjects with nocturnal asthma (NA), four subjects with non-nocturnal asthma (NNA), and four normal control subjects underwent bronchoscopy with measurement of peripheral airways resistance (Rp) at 4:00 P.M. and at 4:00 A.M. Employing a wedged bronchoscope technique, Rp was measured. Flow was stopped, and the pressure reached after 10 s of decay was termed the plateau pressure. The time constant of this decay (tau) was measured, and the peripheral compliance (Cp) was calculated as tau/Rp. The NA group exhibited the highest Rp values at 4:00 P.M. and at 4:00 A.M. as compared with the NNA and control groups, but all groups were significantly different from each other at 4:00 P.M.: NA, 0.113 +/- 0.02 cm H(2)O/ml/min; NNA, 0.033 +/- 0.005 cm H(2)O/ml/min; Control subjects, 0.010 +/- 0.001 cm H(2)O/ ml/min; p = 0.0001; and at 4:00 A.M.: NA, 0.129 +/- 0.023 cm H(2)O/ ml/min; NNA, 0.035 +/- 0.007 cm H(2)O/ml/min; Control subjects, 0.009 +/- 0.002 cm H(2)O/ml/min; p = 0.0003. None of the groups exhibited statistically significant differences in Rp between 4:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M. The plateau pressure increased significantly from 4:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M., but only in the NA group (7.7 +/- 0.9 cm H(2)O at 4:00 P.M. versus 16.9 +/- 4.6 cm H(2)O at 4:00 A.M.; p = 0.0004). Cp was decreased in the NA group as compared with the NNA and control groups at both 4:00 P.M. (p = 0.0003) and 4:00 A.M. (p = 0.003). The Rp positively correlated with the residual volume at both 4:00 P.M. (r = 0.71, p = 0.004) and 4:00 A.M. (r = 0.59, p = 0.03). We conclude that the distal lung units, specifically the collateral channels, and may be functionally altered at night in NA.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者机械通气时对外源性呼气末正压的生理学反应

目的研究慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者机械通气时对外源性呼气末正压的生理学反应规律，揭示反应个体化特点。方法随机选取2005年1月至2006年6月由急诊室收入我院呼吸科重症监护室的COPD急性加重期患者15例，仰卧位经口气管插管后接Evita 4呼吸机（德国Draeger公司），采用容量控制通气对受试者序贯给予相当于内源性呼气末正压水平20％、40％、60％、80％、100％、120％的外源性呼气末正压，每次给予外源性呼气末正压后均测量气道阻力、呼吸系统顺应性、气道平台压、总呼气末正压水平。根据施加外源性呼气末正压后患者气道平台压的变化，将15例患者分为正常反应组（11例），反常反应组（4例），对两组间各参数进行比较。结果15例患者当外源性呼气末正压为80％、内源性呼气末正压为100％水平时的气道阻力分别为（18．5±2．0）cmH2O·L^-1·s^-1（1cmH2O=0．098kPa）、（18．0±2．2）cmH2O·L^-1·s^-1，与外源性呼气末正压为0时的气道阻力[（23．0±2．9）cmH2O·L^-1·s^-1]比较差异有统计学意义（t值分别为5．36、6．27，P均〈0．01）；当外源性呼气末正压为120％内源性呼气末正压水平时，气道阻力和总呼气末正压水平分别为（17．3±2．1）cmH2O·L^-1·s^-1、（12．7±2．2）cmH2O，与外源性呼气末正压为0时[（23．0±2．9）cmH2O·L^-1·s^-1、（10．0±1．1）cmH2O]比较差异有统计学意义（t值分别为6．79、-3．90，P均〈0．01）。正常反应组患者基础生理学参数（外源性呼气末正压为0时）内源性呼气末正压水平、气道阻力、呼吸系统顺应性、气道平台压分别为（10．0±1．0）cmH2O、（22．8±1．9）cmH2O·L^-1·s^-1、（39±6）ml／cmH2O、（20±4）cmH2O，与反常反应组[（10．0±1．4）cmH2O、（23．1±4．1）cmH2O·L^-1·s^-1、（42±9）ml／cmH2O、（21±3）cmH2O]比较差异无统计学意义（t值分别为0．03、0．10、0．60、0．15，P均〉0．05）；正常反应组患者在外源性呼气末正压分别为40％、80％、100％、120％内源性呼气末正压时，△Ppla140，△Pplat80，△Pplat100，△Pplat120分别为（-0．020±0．970）cmH2O、（1．6±1．0）cmH2O、（4．0±2．9）cmH2O、（6．4±3．3）cmH2O，与反常反应组[（-7．500±0．920）cmH2O、（-4．4±1．4）cmH2O、（-3．8±1．9）cmH2O、（-1．6±1．2）cmH2O]比较差异有统计学意义（t值分别为-9．64、-5．90、-3．80、-3．92，P均〈0．01）。结论提示部分无自主呼吸的被动机械通气患者应用外源性呼气末正压是有益的，可以使患者气道平台压显著下降。     

Dexamethasone therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia: improved respiratory mechanics without adrenal suppression.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the pattern of changes in respiratory system mechanics induced by dexamethasone (Dex) in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to determine whether dosages that produce these changes induce adrenal suppression. We examined mechanics in seven ventilator-dependent premature infants (age, 33 +/- 4.8 days) with BPD, before and daily during Dex therapy. Dex (0.5 mg/kg/day) was given intravenously for 7 days unless complications necessitated early termination. Respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and compliance (Crs) were measured by the passive expiratory flow-volume technique during the course of dexamethasone therapy or until extubation. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests were done at baseline and following Dex therapy to evaluate adrenal function. Dex therapy caused a 77 +/- 18% increase in Crs (from 0.97 +/- 0.09 SEM mL/cmH2O to 1.6 +/- 0.16 mL/cmH2O; P less than 0.025) and a 33 +/- 5% decrease in Rrs (from 0.20 +/- 0.02 cmH2O/mL/s to 0.14 +/- 0.01 cmH2O/mL/s; P less than 0.01). Concurrently, ventilator rate, mean airway pressure, and FIO2 all decreased significantly (P less than 0.025). Extubation occurred later in infants with the lowest Crs and highest Rrs at baseline. At extubation, all Crs values were greater than 1.33 mL/cmH2O and Rrs values were less than 0.15 cmH2O/mL/s. Systolic blood pressure increased from 61 +/- 6.3 mmHg to 84 +/- 17 mmHg, 72-96 h after the start of Dex (P less than 0.025). There were no episodes of culture-positive sepsis. Neither basal nor ACTH-stimulated levels of cortisol were suppressed as a result of Dex therapy (P greater than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Biologically variable or naturally noisy mechanical ventilation recruits atelectatic lung

Biologically variable mechanical ventilation (Vbv)-using a computer-controller to mimic the normal variability in spontaneous breathing-improves gas exchange in a model of severe lung injury (Lefevre, G. R., S. E. Kowalski, L. G. Girling, D. B. Thiessen, W. A. C. Mutch. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 1996;154:1567-1572). Improved oxygenation with Vbv, in the face of alveolar collapse, is thought to be due to net volume recruitment secondary to the variability or increased noise in the peak inspiratory airway pressures (Ppaw). Biologically variable noise can be modeled as an inverse power law frequency distribution (y approximately 1/f(a)) (West, B. J., M. Shlesinger. Am. Sci. 1990;78:40-45). In a porcine model of atelectasis-right lung collapse with one-lung ventilation-we studied if Vbv (n = 7) better reinflates the collapsed lung compared with conventional monotonously regular control mode ventilation (Vc; n = 7) over a 5-h period. We also investigated the influence of sigh breaths with Vc (Vs; n = 8) with this model. Reinflation of the collapsed lung was significantly enhanced with Vbv-greater Pa(O(2)) (502 +/- 40 mm Hg with Vbv versus 381 +/- 40 mm Hg with Vc at 5 h; and 309 +/- 79 mm Hg with Vs; mean +/- SD), lower Pa(CO(2)) (35 +/- 4 mm Hg versus 48 +/- 8 mm Hg and 50 +/- 8 mm Hg), lower shunt fraction (9.7 +/- 2.7% versus 14.6 +/- 2.0% and 22.9 +/- 6.0%), and higher respiratory system compliance (Crs) (1.15 +/- 0.15 ml/cm H(2)O/kg versus 0.79 +/- 0.19 ml/cm H(2)O/kg and 0.77 +/- 0.13 ml/cm H(2)O/kg)-at lower mean Ppaw (15.7 +/- 1.4 cm H(2)O versus 18.8 +/- 2.3 cm H(2)O and 18.9 +/- 2.8 cm H(2)O). Vbv resulted in an 11% increase in measured tidal volume (VT(m)) over that seen with Vc by 5 h (14.7 +/- 1.2 ml/kg versus 13. 2 ml/kg). The respiratory rate variability programmed for Vbv demonstrated an inverse power law frequency distribution ( y approximately 1/f(a)) with a = 1.6 +/- 0.3. These findings provide strong support for the theoretical model of noisy end-inspiratory pressure better recruiting atelectatic lung. Our results suggest that using natural biologically variable noise has enhanced the performance of a mechanical ventilator in control mode.     

Tidal hyperinflation during low tidal volume ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

RATIONALE: Tidal volume and plateau pressure limitation decreases mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Computed tomography demonstrated a small, normally aerated compartment on the top of poorly aerated and nonaerated compartments that may be hyperinflated by tidal inflation. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that despite tidal volume and plateau pressure limitation, patients with a larger nonaerated compartment are exposed to tidal hyperinflation of the normally aerated compartment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pulmonary computed tomography at end-expiration and end-inspiration was obtained in 30 patients ventilated with a low tidal volume (6 ml/kg predicted body weight). Cluster analysis identified 20 patients in whom tidal inflation occurred largely in the normally aerated compartment (69.9 +/- 6.9%; "more protected"), and 10 patients in whom tidal inflation occurred largely within the hyperinflated compartments (63.0 +/- 12.7%; "less protected"). The nonaerated compartment was smaller and the normally aerated compartment was larger in the more protected patients than in the less protected patients (p = 0.01). Pulmonary cytokines were lower in the more protected patients than in the less protected patients (p < 0.05). Ventilator-free days were 7 +/- 8 and 1 +/- 2 d in the more protected and less protected patients, respectively (p = 0.01). Plateau pressure ranged between 25 and 26 cm H(2)O in the more protected patients and between 28 and 30 cm H(2)O in the less protected patients (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Limiting tidal volume to 6 ml/kg predicted body weight and plateau pressure to 30 cm H(2)O may not be sufficient in patients characterized by a larger nonaerated compartment.