Clinical Characteristics of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome according to Ventilator Care / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Meconium aspiration syndrome is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and sometimes patients need mechanical ventilator therapy. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors which required mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 44 infants diagnosed as meconium aspiration syndrome from January 2009 to December 2013. We divided into 2 groups (ventilator group and oxygen therapy group) and analyzed the clinical characteristics, vital signs, laboratory findings and clinical courses. RESULTS: Ventilator group and oxygen therapy group included each 22 infants, and there were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between two groups. Time to transfer and time to start oxygen therapy were longer in ventilator group but not statistical difference. Initial mean blood pressure and pH were significantly lower in ventilator group than in oxygen therapy group (P=0.026, P=0.003). Ventilator group had longer treatment period and worse prognosis than oxygen therapy group. CONCLUSION: If the infants with meconium aspiration and respiratory distress represent low pH and hypotension, we have to pay close attention to early oxygen supplementation and proper treatment to prevent poor clinical course.

Atelectasis and the Risk Factors in the Patients Admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Atelectasis is a state of a collapsed and non-aerated region of the lung parenchyma, which is otherwise normal. This condition is usually associated with pulmonary disorders. The purpose of this study is to analyze the incidence and risk factors of atelectasis in patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and chest radiography of 280 PICU patients under 18 years old. We analyzed the incidence and pattern of atelectasis and compared the incidence according to the phase and mode of mechanical ventilation. We compared the incidence of ventilator care need and respiratory disease in 93 atelectasis patients. RESULTS: Atelectasis incidence was 33.2%. The age (4.9 +/- 4.4 years) was younger and the admission-duration (17.8 +/- 25.1 days) was significantly longer in atelectasis patients (p < 0.01). Ventilator care need and respiratory disease in atelectasis patients (86.0%, 66.7% respectively) was significantly higher than in non-atelectasis patients (62.6%, 43.3% respectively) (p < 0.01). Atelectasis incidence in ventilator-required patients and respiratory-diagnosed patients (40.6%, 43.4% respectively) was significantly higher than that in non ventilator-required patients and non respiratory-diagnosed patients (15.7%, 22.6% respectively) (p < 0.01). Atelectasis was more common in the right upper lobe (55.6%) and during or after ventilator care (62.6%) (p < 0.05). Atelectasis incidence in ventilator care did not differ between the assist-control and intermittent mandatory ventilation modes. CONCLUSIONS: In the PICU, atelectasis incidence was higher in patients with ventilator care and respiratory disease. Atelectasis was more common in the right upper lobe and in the phase after ventilator initiation. Atelectasis incidence in ventilator care did not differ between ventilation modes.

Comparison of the Clinical Effects of the Different Ventilatory Care Strategies in the Neonates with Acute Respiratory Failure: High Flow Rate - Constant Flow Rate

PURPOSE: High flow rate (FR) and pressure limit (PL) strategy with time-cycled pressure-limited (TCPL) ventilator is employed routinely in the neonates. Theoretical basis of this strategy is the two-compartment theory that the lung with acute respiratory failure consists of units with different compliance and resistance. But such constant pressure strategy has the risk of ventilator induced lung injury. We compared the ventilatory indices and clinical outcomes of two different strategies, high FR-constant pressure and low FR-constant FR in the ventilator care of the neonates with acute respiratory failure. METHODS: For the neonates born in our hospital and treated with mechanical ventilation from March to August in 1997, two different ventilator strategies were employed randomly with flow control ventilator. In the high-FR group, the FR was fixed at 10 L/ min and the PL was adjusted according to the arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) results. In the low-FR group, the FR was adjusted to 10 mL/kg of tidal volume. Sixty neonates were enrolled, 32 in high-FR and 28 in low-FR group. Ventilatory indices and clinical outcomes were statistically cornpared in the two groups. RESULTS: Perinatal factors were not different in the two groups. Initial ventilator settings, ABGA results and ventilatory indices were not different. The tidal volume, fraction of inspired oxygen, peak inspired pressure and oxygenation index were higher and dynamic compliance was lower in the high-FR group compared to the low-FR group after 3 to 72 hours of ventilator care. In clinical outcomes, incidences of pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pneumothorax and chronic lung disease were significantly lower in the low-FR group. CONCLUSION: Low-FR with constant FR strategy resulted in better clinical outcomes in the ventilator care of neonates. We conclude that constant FR strategy prevents damage of the better compliant lung units and decreases the incidence of acute and chronic complications of ventilator care.