Air entrainment during high-frequency jet ventilation in a model of upper tracheal stenosis

Previous work has demonstrated that when high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) is applied above an airway stenosis, higher distal airway pressures are produced compared with when the same ventilation is delivered below the stenosis (BSV). This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying this finding.

HFJV was applied to a model of laryngo-tracheal stenosis with the jet located above the stenosis (ASV), with a catheter passed through the stenosis (TSV) or with HFJV delivered by a side port BSV. For each configuration and over a range of diameters of stenosis (2.5-8.5 mm), distal tracheal pressures and delivered minute volume were measured and air entrainment estimated. Experiments were repeated using the same model with the addition of a simulated 'pharynx' around the stenosis.

Distal airway pressures, minute volumes, and air entrainment were consistently higher during ASV compared with BSV and TSV. The presence of the 'pharynx' made no significant difference to airway pressures or air entrainment. Delivered minute volumes varied between ASV, TSV, and BSV, and were also dependent on the stenosis diameter. With ASV, there appeared to be a range of stenosis diameters (4.0-5.5 mm) which 'maximized' minute volumes.

The results suggest that the high airway pressures generated during ASV are the consequence of air entrainment and this effect, although reduced slightly, is maintained in the presence of the model pharynx. In contrast to the previous work, no significant entrainment occurred during BSV. If applicable to patients, these data suggest that ASV HFJV should be avoided in small diameter stenoses, but provides more efficient gas delivery and greater distending pressures with larger stenoses. BSV HFJV produces lower distal pressures and more consistent oxygen concentrations of injected gas across a range of stenosis diameters.