Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare gas exchange and volume delivery during high frequency oscillation at two frequently used inspiratory:expiratory (I:E) ratios: 1:2 and 1:1, other oscillatory settings being kept constant. A group of 13 infants with respiratory distress syndrome, median gestational age 28 weeks (range 23–36) and postnatal age 1 day (range 1–8) were studied. At the I:E ratio of 1:1 compared to 1:2 the median paCO2 was lower, P < 0.05 (30 mmHg, range 22–47 vs 34 mmHg, range 27–46) and the volume delivered higher, P < 0.01 (2.6 ml/kg, range 1.2–5.6 vs 2.0 ml/kg, range 1.0–3.9). There was no significant difference in oxygenation levels at the two I:E ratios. In a related in vitro study, changing the I:E ratio from 1:2 to 1:1 increased the mean airway pressure by a median of 8.6% (range 2.9–28.1%).
Conclusion Routinely maintained longer expiratory than inspiratory times during high frequency oscillation should be discouraged.
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Received: 6 November 1998 / Accepted: 30 March 1999
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Dimitriou, G., Greenough, A., Kavvadia, V. et al. Comparison of two inspiratory: expiratory ratios during high frequency oscillation. Eur J Pediatr 158, 796–799 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310051208
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310051208