Background: Volume guaranteed (VG) synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) is a novel mode of SIMV that provides automatic adjustment of the peak inspiratory pressure for ensuring a minimum set tidal volume and there are limited data about the effects of VG ventilation on short term neonatal outcomes in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of VG ventilation on duration of ventilation and total supplemental oxygen. We also aimed to compare the early neonatal outcomes of VG ventilation versus conventional SIMV on short-term outcomes in preterm babies with RDS who were given surfactant.
Methods: In this randomized controlled study, preterm infants who were admitted with RDS and given surfactant were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included infants ventilated on conventional SIMV (n = 30) and group 2 included infants ventilated on VG ventilation (n = 42). Neonatal morbidities such as air leak, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and duration of mechanical ventilation and total oxygen supplementation were all recorded.
Results: There were no significant differences between two groups in terms of demographic features. Infants ventilated with VG mode had significantly shorter duration of ventilation and need of total supplemental oxygen. The incidences of oxygen related short term complications including BPD, ROP, and IVH were also significantly lower in these infants compared with those ventilated with conventional SIMV. No significant differences were found between two groups with respect to NEC and air leak.
Conclusion: In conclusion, VG ventilation in combination with surfactant treatment significantly reduced both duration of mechanical ventilation and early neonatal oxygen related morbidities including BPD, ROP and IVH in preterm infants with RDS. This data favors the use of VG ventilation in respiratory support of premature infants.