Article Text
Research Article
Acute effects of instillation of surfactant in severe respiratory distress syndrome.
Abstract
Doppler ultrasound measurements of pulmonary blood flow in 20 babies with severe respiratory distress syndrome treated in a randomised controlled trial of surfactant replacement showed that the immediate improvement of oxygenation was not associated with a significant increase in pulmonary blood flow. Reduction in ventilator settings and increases in the extent of chest wall movements measured by a cardiorespiratory monitor suggested that the improvement after surfactant had been given was a result of alveolar stabilisation and increased pulmonary compliance. Further simultaneous studies of pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary compliance are needed to confirm these findings.