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Ventilation by high-frequency oscillation

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1980

Year

TLDR

The study investigated the effect of applying a high‑frequency small‑volume sinusoidal oscillation at the airway in anesthetized apneic beagle dogs. Oscillations were generated by a piston‑driven cylinder and delivered to the lungs via an uncuffed endotracheal tube with a bias flow of fresh gas, maintaining distal airway pressures between 0–2 cmH₂O and peak pressures of 4–8 cmH₂O. At 15 Hz and 1.9 ml/kg tidal volume, the oscillation achieved efficient CO₂ elimination (PaCO₂ ≈ 33 Torr) and sustained oxygenation (PaO₂ ≈ 580–594 Torr on 100 % O₂ and 106 Torr on room air) without affecting cardiac output, showing that high‑frequency small‑volume oscillations can preserve gas exchange for hours by enhancing pulmonary gas diffusivity.

Abstract

The effect of applying a high-frequency small-volume sinusoidal oscillation at the airway was investigated in anesthetized apneic beagle dogs (mean wt 11 kg, mean VDphys 6.6 +/- 0.6 ml/kg). Oscillations generated by a piston in a cylinder were transmitter to the lungs through an uncuffed endotracheal tube (4.5 mm ID, 6.0 mm OD), which allowed a substantial leak back through the vocal cords. A bias flow of fresh gas presented inspired air to the midtracheal level. The minimum distal airway pressure (measured at the end of the endotracheal tube) was maintained between 0 and 2 cmH2O. Peak airway pressures were 4-8 cmH2O. The optimal frequency for CO2 elimination was 15 Hz. Using volumes of 1.9 ml/kg (range 1.7-2.3) at this frequency the mean PaCO2 was 33.1 +/- 0.5 Torr. In four dogs breathing 100% O2 the PaO2 was 594 +/- 9 Torr during spontaneous ventilation and 580 +/- 9 Torr after 5 h of uninterrupted oscillation. In four experiments using room air the PaO2 was 95 +/- 5 Torr during spontaneous respiration and 106 +/- 1 Torr after 5 h of oscillation. In an additional seven studies there was no difference in mean cardiac output between oscillation and conventional mechanical ventilation. This study demonstrates that high-frequency small-volume oscillations can maintain gas exchange for many hours presumably by markedly enhancing the diffusivity of gases in the lung.