Regional lung volume changes in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome during a derecruitment maneuver.

OBJECTIVE: Regional differences in lung volume have been described in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome, but it remains unclear to what extent they occur in children. To quantify regional alveolar collapse that occurred during mechanical ventilation during a standardized suctioning maneuver, we evaluated regional and global relative impedance changes (relative DeltaZ) in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome using electrical impedance tomography. DESIGN: Prospective observational trial. SETTING: A 30-bed pediatric intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Six children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: Standardized suctioning maneuver. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: By comparing layers from nondependent (layers 1 and 2) to dependent lung areas (layers 3 and 4), it was demonstrated that the middle layers (2 and 3) had the greatest ventilation-induced change in relative DeltaZ; layer 4 showed the least ventilation-induced change in relative DeltaZ. During suctioning, layers 1, 2, and 3 showed a negative change in relative DeltaZ, whereas layer 4 showed no significant change in relative DeltaZ. The derecruitment-induced change in relative DeltaZ representing the lung-volume loss was -9.8 (-3.0 mL/kg) during the first suctioning maneuver, -16.1 (-5.4 mL/kg) during the second, and -21.7 (-7.4 mL/kg) during the third. The ventilation-induced change in relative DeltaZ during mechanical ventilation remained unchanged after suctioning (mean change in relative DeltaZ before vs. after suctioning, 40.1 +/- 9.1 vs. 41.4 +/- 10.8; p = .30). Dynamic compliance was 11.8 +/- 6.1 mL.cm H2O before and 11.8 +/- 6.9 mL.cm H2O after the suctioning sequence (p = .90). CONCLUSIONS: Considerable regional heterogeneity was present during ventilation and a derecruitment maneuver. Significantly lower change in relative DeltaZ in the most dependent lung regions suggests alveolar collapse during ventilation before suctioning.

Comparison of different methods to define regions of interest for evaluation of regional lung ventilation by EIT.

The measurement of regional lung ventilation by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been evaluated in many experimental studies. However, EIT is not routinely used in a clinical setting, which is attributable to the fact that a convenient concept for how to quantify the EIT data is missing. The definition of region of interest (ROI) is an essential point in the data analysis. To date, there are only limited data available on the different approaches to ROI definition to evaluate regional lung ventilation by EIT. For this survey we examined ten patients (mean age +/- SD: 60 +/- 10 years) under controlled ventilation. Regional tidal volumes were quantified as pixel values of inspiratory-to-expiratory impedance differences and four types of ROIs were subsequently applied. The definition of ROI contours was based on the calculation of the pixel values of (1) standard deviation from each pixel set of impedance data and (2) the regression coefficient from linear regression equations between the individual local (pixel) and average (whole scan) impedance signals. Additionally, arbitrary ROIs (four quadrants and four anteroposterior segments of equal height) were used. Our results indicate that both approaches to ROI definition using statistical parameters are suitable when impedance signals with high sensitivity to ventilation-related phenomena are to be analyzed. The definition of the ROI contour as 20-35% of the maximum standard deviation or regression coefficient is recommended. Simple segmental ROIs are less convenient because of the low ventilation-related signal component in the dorsal region.

Breath-to-breath analysis of abdominal and rib cage motion in surfactant-depleted piglets during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of monitoring abdominal and rib cage tidal displacement as an indicator of optimal mean airway pressure (Paw) during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational study in a university research laboratory. ANIMALS: Eight piglets weighing 12.0+/-0.5 kg, surfactant depleted by lung lavage. INTERVENTIONS: Compliance of the respiratory system (C(rs)) was calculated from a quasistatic pressure volume loop. After initiation of HFOV lung volume was recruited by increasing Paw to 40 cmH(2)O. Then mean Paw was decreased in steps until PaO(2)/FIO(2) was below 100 mmHg. Proximal pressure amplitude remained constant. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Abdominal and rib cage tidal displacement was determined using respiratory inductive plethysmography. During HFOV there was maximum in tidal volume (Vt) in seven of eight piglets. At maximal mean Paw abdominal and rib cage displacement were in phase. Phase difference between abdominal and rib cage displacement increased to a maximum of 178+/-28 degrees at minimum mean Paw. A minimum in abdominal displacement and a maximum of Vt was found near the optimal mean Paw, defined as the lowest mean Paw where shunt fraction is below 0.1. CONCLUSIONS: During HFOV abdominal and rib cage displacement displayed mean Paw dependent asynchrony. Maximal Vt and minimal abdominal displacement coincided with optimal C(rs), oxygenation, and ventilation, suggesting potential clinical relevance of monitoring Vt and abdominal displacement during HFOV.

Static pressure-volume curve characteristics are moderate estimators of optimal airway pressures in a mathematical model of (primary/pulmonary) acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of objective pressure-volume characteristics for predicting optimal airway pressures and the development of atelectasis and overstretching during a structured lung volume recruitment procedure with subsequent reduction in airway pressures. METHODS: We used a mathematical model of a lung with adjustable characteristics of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) characteristics. Simulations were performed in five grades of ARDS in the presence of pure alveolar or combined alveolar-small airway closure as well complete or incomplete lung volume recruitability. For each simulation optimal end-expiratory pressure was determined. A static pressure-volume curve was constructed and objective characteristics of this curve calculated. The predictive value of these characteristics for end-expiratory atelectasis, overstretching, and optimal end-expiratory pressure was assessed. RESULTS: Simultaneous alveolar recruitment and overstretching during inflation were more pronounced than alveolar derecruitment and overstretching during deflation. End-expiratory pressure needed to prevent significant alveolar collapse in severe ARDS resulted in maximal safe tidal volumes that may be insufficient for adequate ventilation using conventional mechanical ventilatory modes. Plateau pressures well below the "upper corner point" (airway pressure where compliance decreases) resulted in significant alveolar overstretching. CONCLUSIONS: A recruitment maneuver followed by subsequent reduction in airway pressure limits end-expiratory atelectasis, overstretching, and pressure. None of the objective characteristics of the pressure-volume curve was predictive for end-expiratory atelectasis, overstretching, or optimal airway pressure.

Regional lung volume during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation by electrical impedance tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of electrical impedance tomography for the assessment of regional lung mechanics during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). DESIGN: Prospective, interventional animal study. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Eight pigs with lavage-induced lung injury. INTERVENTIONS: Electrical impedance tomography measurements were performed during a pressure-volume maneuver and during a recruitment-derecruitment maneuver on HFOV by stepwise variation of continuous distending pressure (CDP). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Lung volume was estimated by calibrated strain-gauge plethysmography; regional lung volume changes were assessed by electrical impedance tomography in various regions of interest. We found that inflation during the pressure-volume maneuver was distributed nonhomogeneously, whereas deflation was homogeneous. During HFOV, no major regional differences were found during either inflation or deflation. The upper inflection point on the deflation limb was at a slightly higher continuous distending pressure (26+/-3 cm H2O) than the minimal physiologic shunt fraction (at continuous distending pressure of 23+/-7), where there were hemodynamic signs of overdistension. Maximal compliance on the deflation limb (at continuous distending pressure of 13+/-3 cm H2O) agreed well with the minimal continuous distending pressure, where shunt fraction was just below 0.1 (14+/-2 cm H2O). CONCLUSIONS: HFOV has a homogenizing effect on lung volume distribution. Regional lung volume distribution can be assessed using electrical impedance tomography. However, thoracic fluid accumulation may complicate its interpretation.

Estimation of regional lung volume changes by electrical impedance pressures tomography during a pressure-volume maneuver.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of linearity between lung volume and impedance change by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) in pigs with acute lung injury and to investigate regional impedance changes during a pressure-volume maneuver. DESIGN AND SETTING: Experimental animal study in a university research laboratory. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Nine pigs with lung injury induced by lung lavage. INTERVENTIONS: The lungs were insufflated to four different lung volumes. Next the lungs were inflated in steps up to 40 cm H(2)O and then in steps deflated. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: EIT measurements were performed. Impedance was highly linear with lung volume ( r(2)=0.97). From the pressure-volume maneuver regional pressure-impedance (P-I) curves were obtained in the upper half (ventral) and lower half (dorsal) of the thoracic cross-section. Excellent fit was found of the regional P-I curves with a predefined sigmoid equation ( r(2)=0.998). The P-I curves after lavage were markedly different than before lavage. The P-I curves recorded after lavage displayed a strong heterogeneity on the inflation limb: Lower corner pressure (traditionally lower inflection point) was significantly higher in the dorsal (28.3+/-4.1 cm H(2)O) than in the ventral region (17.5+/-4.3 cm H(2)O). The deflation limb displayed a more homogeneous pattern. Upper corner pressure and true inflection point, where the curve slope is maximal, in the dorsal region were only slightly higher than in the ventral region (1-2 cm H(2)O). CONCLUSIONS: EIT and automated curve fitting provide information on regional lung inflation and deflation which may be of clinical use for optimizing ventilator settings.

Oxygenation index, an indicator of optimal distending pressure during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation?

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that, during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) of pigs with acute lung injury, the oxygenation index (OI = Paw*FIO(2)*100/PaO(2)) is minimal at the lowest continuous distending pressure (Paw), where the physiological shunt fraction is below 0.1 (Paw(optimal)). DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, observational study in a university research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Eight Yorkshire pigs weighing 12.0+/-0.5 kg, with lung injury induced by lung lavage. INTERVENTIONS: After initiation of HFOV, the pigs were subjected to a stepwise increase of Paw to obtain under-inflation, optimal inflation and over-distension of the lungs (inflation) in series, followed by a similar decrease of Paw (deflation). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: At each Paw level, the OI and physiological shunt fraction were determined. The OI reached a minimum of 6.2+/-1.4 at Paw 30+/-4 cmH(2)O during inflation and a minimum of 2.4+/-0.3 at Paw 13+/-2 cmH(2)O during deflation. Paw(optimal) was 32+/-6 cmH(2)O on the inflation limb and 14+/-2 cmH(2)O on the deflation limb. The difference between the Paw at minimal OI and Paw(optimal) was -1.9+/-4.2 cmH(2)O (NS) during inflation and -1.5+/-1.6 cmH(2)O (p<0.05) during deflation. In 15 out of the 16 comparisons, the difference in Paw was within one step (+/-3 cmH(2)O). CONCLUSION: The minimal OI is indicative for the Paw where oxygenation is optimal during HFOV in surfactant-depleted pigs.

Attenuation of pressure swings along the endotracheal tube is indicative of optimal distending pressure during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in a model of acute lung injury.

We tested the hypothesis that during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, the oscillatory pressure ratio (OPR) is minimal at the optimal mean airway pressure (Paw). OPR is defined as the ratio of pressure swings at the distal end and the proximal opening of the endotracheal tube. Optimal Paw was assumed to be the lowest Paw at which the physiological shunt fraction was below 0.1. Acute lung injury was produced by saline lung lavage of pigs who were then subjected to a stepwise increase of Paw to impose underinflation, optimal inflation, and overdistention (inflation phase), followed by a stepwise decrease of Paw (deflation phase). OPR reached a minimum of 0.10 +/- 0.01 at Paw = 31 +/- 4 cm H(2)O during the inflation phase and a minimum of 0.04 +/- 0.01 at Paw = 18 +/- 1 cm H(2)O during the deflation phase. Optimal Paw was 31 +/- 4 cm H(2)O on the inflation limb and 14 +/- 2 cm H(2)O on the deflation limb. Paw at the minimal OPR was not significantly different from the optimal Paw during the inflation phase, and slightly but significantly higher (4.1 +/- 1.6 cm H(2)O) during the deflation phase. In conclusion, a consistent relationship was found between OPR and Paw, with a minimum in all animals. The minimal OPR coincides fairly well with the Paw where oxygenation is optimal.