First intention high-frequency oscillation with early lung volume optimization improves pulmonary outcome in very low birth weight infants with respiratory distress syndrome
Pc. Rimensberger et al., First intention high-frequency oscillation with early lung volume optimization improves pulmonary outcome in very low birth weight infants with respiratory distress syndrome, PEDIATRICS, 105(6), 2000, pp. 1202-1208
Objectives. The lack of decline in chronic lung disease of prematurity desp
ite the generalized use of surfactant and alternative modes of ventilation
such as high-frequency oscillation (HFO) has been attributed to some misund
erstanding of how HFO has to be used. We used a new ventilatory strategy in
very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, by initiating HFO immediately after
intubation and attempting early lung volume optimization before surfactant
was administered.
Study Design. The outcome of 32 VLBW infants, managed with first intention
HFO over a period of 24 months (September 1, 1996 and August 31, 1998) was
compared by chart review with 39 historical controls, consecutively managed
with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) over a period of 24 months
(January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1995).
Setting. An 11-bed tertiary care pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit
of a university teaching hospital.
Results. The 2 groups of patients were similar in demographic distribution
of birth weight, gestational age, race, and gender. Patients on first inten
tion HFO were ventilator-dependent (median [95% confidence interval]: 5 [3-
6] vs 14 [6-23] days) and oxygen-dependent (12 [4-17] vs 51 [20-60] days) f
or a shorter time than patients on CMV. The incidence of chronic lung disea
se at 36 weeks of gestational age was significantly lower in the HFO group
compared with the CMV group (0% vs 34%).
Conclusions. First intention HFO with early lung volume optimization shorte
ned the need for respiratory support and improved pulmonary outcome of VLBW
infants with respiratory distress syndrome significantly.