Nasal high frequency ventilation in neonates with moderate respiratory insufficiency
- Department of Neonatology, Academic Hospital Maastricht, P Debyelaan 25 PO Box 5800 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Dr Mark van der Hoeven. Email: MVH{at}SKIN.AZM.NL
- Accepted 14 January 1998
Abstract
AIM To investigate the efficacy of nasal high frequency ventilation (nHFV) in newborn infants with moderate respiratory insufficiency.
METHOD Twenty one preterm and term neonates were treated with nHFV for respiratory insufficiency. Criteria for starting nHFV were: deterioration on nasal CPAP expressed by a median pH of 7.24 and pCO2 of 8.3 kPa, or increasing FIO2. nHFV was delivered using the Infant Star ventilator. Ventilator setting amplitude was 35 cm H2O; mean airway pressure 7 cm H2O; and frequency 10 Hz.
RESULTS pCO2decreased significantly from 8.3 kPa to 7.2 kPa after nHFV was started. In five patients nHFV was discontinued after a median period of 6½ hours due to CO2 retention and high oxygen need, and endotracheal mechanical ventilation was started.
CONCLUSIONS nHFV can reduce pCO2 in neonates with moderate respiratory insufficiency and, therefore, could be used to decrease the need for endotracheal mechanical ventilation.
