Bp. Wagner et al., Bronchodilator responsiveness in a ventilator-dependent infant with severetracheobronchomalacia, INTEN CAR M, 25(7), 1999, pp. 729-732
A neonatal case of severe, ventilator-dependent tracheobronchomalacia (TBM)
is described. The extent of the malacic segment was determined by endoscop
y and tracheobronchography. Additionally, relevant and ever increasing reve
rsible peripheral airway obstruction was documented by measuring the mechan
ical properties of the respiratory system before and after salbutamol. With
the combination of endoscopically guided aortopexy and salbutamol infusion
, the infant was eventually weaned from mechanical ventilation at the age o
f 86 days. We speculate that in ventilator-dependent infants with severe TB
M the determination of bronchodilator responsiveness may have clinical cons
equences.