Decreased Lung Injury after Surfactant in Piglets Treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation

Abstract

Animals treated with surfactant prior to CPAP or SIMV had less acute lung injury. SIMV+S animals had less open air space in nondependent regions. This suggests, during early ventilatory support, surfactant administration may modulate pulmonary inflammation. CPAP alone without surfactant may not provide optimal pulmonary protection. The addition of mechanical breaths may alter and add to injury.