High-frequency percussive ventilation compared with conventional mechanical ventilation

Abstract

In seven patients with severe respiratory distress, conventional mechanical ventilation and PEEP were used initially for respiratory support, which was changed to high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) at the same level of airway pressure and FIO2. During both modes of ventilation, patients could breathe spontaneously via a low-threshold demand valve. With HFPV, PaO2 improved significantly (p < .01) compared with PaO2 during conventional methods. Cardiac output was unaffected by the change to HFPV.