Percutaneous dilation tracheostomy during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the feasibility and the safety of percutaneous dilational tracheostomy in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome receiving high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary adult intensive care unit in a university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Five patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy was safely performed on all five patients. Hemodynamic and respiratory variables remained stable during the procedure. No complications were attributable to either the percutaneous dilational tracheostomy or high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy can be safely performed on patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.