From continuous positive-pressure breathing to ventilator-induced lung injury

Continuous positive-pressure ventilation in acute respiratory failure. By Kumar A, Falke KJ, Geffin B, Aldredge CF, Laver MB, Lowentein E, Pontoppidan H. N Engl J Med 1970; 283:1430-6. Reprinted with permission. Continuous positive-pressure ventilation was used in eight patients with severe acute respiratory failure. Cardiac output and lung function were studied during continuous positive-pressure ventilation (mean end-expiratory pressure, 13 cm H2O) and a 30-min interval of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. Although the mean cardiac index increased from 3.6 to 4.5 l/min per square meter of body surface area, the mean intrapulmonary shunt increased by 9% with changeover to intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. Satisfactory oxygenation was maintained in all patients during continuous positive-pressure ventilation with 50% inspired oxygen or less. With intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, arterial oxygen tension promptly fell by 161 mm of mercury, 79% occurring within 1 min. Prevention of air-space collapse during expiration and an increase in functional residual capacity probably explain improved oxygenation with continuous positive-pressure ventilation. In four patients, subcutaneous emphysema or pneumothorax developed. Weighed against the effects of prolonged hypoxemia, these complications were not severe enough to warrant cessation of continuous positive-pressure ventilation.