Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: Establishment and Confirmation of a Postnatal Right Ventricular Volume Overload Mouse Model
Published on: June 9, 2023
Volume guarantee pressure support ventilation in extremely preterm infants and neurodevelopmental outcome at 18
B M Stefanescu1, N Frewan2, J C Slaughter3
1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Objective:
Compared with pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV), volume-targeted ventilation is associated with decreased neonatal complications, including the combined outcome of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, little is known about its effect on neurodevelopmental outcome. We evaluated the hypothesis that as compared with PCV, volume-targeted ventilation reduces the risk of the combined outcome of neurodevelopmental impairment or death in very low birth weight infants.
Study Design:
We studied a cohort of extremely preterm infants managed with either volume guarantee pressure support ventilation (VGPSV; n=135) or PCV (n=135). Infants were evaluated at 18 months adjusted age with a standardized neurological examination and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-third edition. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of ventilation mode and neurodevelopmental outcome.
Result:
Rates of pulmonary interstitial emphysema (odds ratio 0.6; 95% confidence limits: 0.4, 0.8), hypotension (odds ratio: 0.7; 95% confidence limits: 0.5, 0.9) and mortality (odds ratio 0.45; 95% confidence limits: 0.22, 0.9) were lower among infants treated with VGPSV. The infants in the VGPSV group had a significantly shorter duration on mechanical ventilation compared with infants in the PCV group (log-rank test P<0.01). Seventy percent (155/221) of survivors were evaluated at 18 months adjusted age. A trend towards benefit for the combined outcome of death or neurodevelopmental impairment was seen in the VGPSV group but did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio: 0.59; 95% confidence limits: 0.32, 1.08).
Conclusion:
VGPSV was associated with a decreased risk of short-term complications but not long-term developmental impairment in this modest-sized cohort.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation...
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Mechanical Ventilation I: Indication and Settings
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Ventilatory Modes
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...

