Compliance is nonlinear over tidal volume irrespective of positive end-expiratory pressure level in surfactant-depleted piglets.

Between the lower and the upper inflection point of a quasistatic pressure-volume (PV) curve, a segment usually appears in which the PV relationship is steep and linear (i.e., compliance is high, with maximal volume change per pressure change, and is constant). Traditionally it is assumed that when positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and tidal volume (V T) are titrated such that the end-inspiratory volume is positioned at this linear segment of the PV curve, compliance is constant over VT during ongoing ventilation. The validity of this assumption was addressed in this study. In 14 surfactant-deficient piglets, PEEP was increased from 3 cm H(2)O to 24 cm H(2)O, and the compliance associated with 10 consecutive volume increments up to full VT was determined with a modified multiple-occlusion method at the different PEEP levels. With PEEP at approximately the lower inflection point, compliance was minimal in most lungs and decreased markedly over VT, indicating overdistension. Compliance both increased and decreased within the same breath at intermediate PEEP levels. It is concluded that a PEEP that results in constant compliance over the full VT range is difficult to find, and cannot be derived from conventional respiratory-mechanical analyses; nor does this PEEP level coincide with maximal gas exchange.

Static versus dynamic respiratory mechanics for setting the ventilator.

The lower inflection point (LIP) of the inspiratory limb of a static pressure-volume (PV) loop is assumed to indicate the pressure at which most lung units are recruited. The LIP is determined by a static manoeuvre with a PV-history that is different from the PV-history of the actual ventilation. In nine surfactant-deficient piglets, information to allow setting PEEP and VT was obtained, both from the PV-curve and also during ongoing ventilation from the dynamic compliance relationship. According to LIP, PEEP was set at 20 (95% confidence interval 17-22) cm H2O. Volume-dependent dynamic compliance suggested a PEEP reduction (to 15 (13-18) cm H2O). Pulmonary gas exchange remained satisfactory and this change resulted in reduced mechanical stress on the respiratory system, indirectly indicated by volume-dependent compliance being consistently great during the entire inspiration.

Variables used to set PEEP in the lung lavage model are poorly related.

Setting an appropriate positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) value is determined by respiratory mechanics, gas exchange and oxygen transport. As these variables may be optimal at different PEEP values, a unique PEEP value may not exist which satisfies both the demands of minimizing mechanical stress and optimizing oxygen transport. In 15 surfactant-deficient piglets, PEEP was increased progressively. Arterial oxygenation and functional residual capacity (FRC) increased, while specific compliance of the respiratory system decreased. Static compliance increased up to a threshold value of PEEP of 8 cm H2O, after which it decreased. This threshold PEEP did not coincide with the lower inflection point of the inspiratory limb of the pressure-volume (PV) loop. Oxygen transport did not correlate with respiratory mechanics or FRC. In the lavage model, the lower inflection point of the PV curve may reflect opening pressure rather than the pressure required to keep the recruited lung open. Recruitment takes place together with a change in the elastic properties of the already open parts of the lung. No single PEEP level is optimal for both oxygen transport and reduction of mechanical stress.

Oxygenation remains unaffected by increased inspiration-to-expiration ratio but impairs hemodynamics in surfactant-depleted piglets.

OBJECTIVES: Prolongation of inspiratory time is used to reduce lung injury in mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to isolate the effects of inspiratory time on airway pressure, gas exchange, and hemodynamics, while ventilatory frequency, tidal volume, and mean airway pressure were kept constant. DESIGN: Randomized experimental trial. SETTING: Experimental laboratory of a University Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. ANIMALS: Twelve anesthetised piglets. INTERVENTIONS: After lavage the reference setting was pressure-controlled ventilation with a decelerating flow; I:E was 1:1, and PEEP was set to 75% of the inflection point pressure level. The I:E ratios of 1.5:1, 2.3:1, and 4:1 were applied randomly. Under open lung conditions, mean airway pressure was kept constant by reduction of external PEEP. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Gas exchange, airway pressures, hemodynamics, functional residual capacity (SF6 tracer), and intrathoracic fluid volumes (double indicator dilution) were measured. Compared to the I:E of 1:1, PaCO2 was 8% lower, with I:E 2.3:1 and 4:1 (p < or = 0.01) while PaO2 remained unchanged. The decrease in inspiratory airway pressure with increased inspiratory time was due to the response of the pressure-regulated volume-controlled mode to an increased I:E ratio. Stroke index and right ventricular ejection fraction were depressed at higher I:E ratios (SI by 18% at 2.3:1, 20% at 4:1; RVEF by 10% at 2.3:1, 13% at 4:1; p < or = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Under open lung conditions with an increased I:E ratio, oxygenation remained unaffected while hemodynamics were impaired.

Ventilation with constant versus decelerating inspiratory flow in experimentally induced acute respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND: Recognition of the potential for ventilator-associated lung injury has renewed the debate on the importance of the inspiratory flow pattern. The aim of this study was to determine whether a ventilatory pattern with decelerating inspiratory flow, with the major part of the tidal volume delivered early, would increase functional residual capacity at unchanged (or even reduced) inspiratory airway pressures and improve gas exchange at different positive end-expiratory pressure levels. METHODS: Surfactant depletion was induced by repeated bronchoalveolar lavage in 13 anesthetized piglets. Decelerating and constant inspiratory flow ventilation was applied at positive end-expiratory pressure levels of 22, 17, 13, 9, and 4 cm H(2)O. Tidal volume, inspiration-to-expiration ratio, and ventilatory frequency were kept constant. Airway pressures, gas exchange, functional residual capacity (using a wash-in/washout method with sulfurhexafluoride), central hemodynamics, and extravascular lung water (using the thermo-dye-indicator dilution technique) were measured. RESULTS: Decelerating inspiratory flow yielded a lower arterial carbon dioxide tension compared to constant flow, that is, it improved alveolar ventilation. There were no differences between the flow patterns regarding end-inspiratory occlusion airway pressure, end-inspiratory lung volume, static compliance, or arterial oxygen tension. No differences were seen in hemodynamics and oxygen delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The decelerating inspiratory flow pattern increased carbon dioxide elimination, without any reduction of inspiratory airway pressure or apparent improvement in arterial oxygen tension. It remains to be established whether these differences are sufficiently pronounced to justify therapeutic consideration.

Under open lung conditions inverse ratio ventilation causes intrinsic PEEP and hemodynamic impairment.

Inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) is commonly used in clinical practice. Several studies have used IRV in order to recruit collapsed alveoli. In a randomised trial in twelve surfactant depleted piglets, the lungs were ventilated with sufficient positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to prevent end-expiratory collapse, and the effects of increased inspiration-to-expiration (I:E ratio) were evaluated. Pressure regulated ventilation (with I:E of 1:1, constant tidal volume and decelerating inspiratory flow) was used at 30 breaths per minute (bpm). I:E ratios of 1.5:1, 2.3:1 and 4:1 were applied sequentially. When the I:E ratio was increased, external PEEP had to be reduced in order to keep total PEEP constant. Functional residual capacity, airway pressures, gas exchange, extrathermal volume and hemodynamics were measured. With I:E ratios above 2:1 intrinsic PEEP was generated and with concomitant decrease in cardiac index. PaO2 was not affected, but oxygen delivery was reduced. It is concluded that I:E ratios of 2:1, or above, generate increased intrinsic PEEP with compromised hemodynamics.