Unintentional variation in positive end expiratory pressure during resuscitation with a T-piece resuscitator

The ability of T-piece resuscitators to deliver consistent peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) during real and simulated neonatal resuscitation has been well described. The Neopuff (Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Auckland, New Zealand) has been the device used for nearly all of these comparisons.

All high risk resuscitations were carried out in our dedicated resuscitation room, and were recorded on video tape for quality assurance purposes.(1) In addition to the audio and video recording, physiologic signals and resuscitation parameters, including oxygen saturation, pulse rate, airway pressure, FiO(2), and others signals as appropriate were also captured. These recordings were reviewed on a biweekly basis as part of a continuing quality review process. Resuscitations were graded for standard of care and the resuscitation checklist was reviewed to determine if the team had any unresolved issues that needed to be addressed.

In the year between April of 2009 and March 2010, a period when we fully reviewed approximately 120 videos, we recognized visually obvious PEEP changes on 8 different occasions in ELBW infants. Our target PEEP was 5 cm H20. We observed rapid changes in the PEEP to as high as 15 cm H20 during resuscitation.

Based on our single-center experience, a T-piece resuscitation device which has the adjustment for the PEEP level and the orifice which is occluded to deliver a breath in the same location has the potential to cause an inadvertent and potentially toxic increase of PEEP which might not be noticed by the operator.