[Use of noninvasive assisted lung ventilation in children in intensive care units]

Thirty-six patients aged 2 months to 14 years were observed. Noninvasive assisted ventilation of the lungs (NAVL) was performed through Respironix Inc. masks (USA) with Puritan-Bennet 7200, Bear 1000, and Bear 750 respirators in the SIMV + PS, CPAP + PS modes with manual regulation of the supporting pressure level. Respiratory rate, heart rate, respiratory volume, pO2, pCO2, SpO2, stroke volume, and minute volume of the heart were evaluated. During development of central respiratory failure in the early postoperative period or in case of forced deep medicamentous neuroplegia NAVL normalized the external respiration function and promoted adequate ventilation of the lungs; in the majority of cases with development of restrictive respiratory failure (RF) it improved ventilation of the lungs and therefore no intubation of the trachea and transfer to forced ventilation was needed. NAVL is indicated as a component of multiple-modality treatment for obstructive RF.