Gas flow distribution and tidal volume during distal high frequency jet ventilation in dogs

During distal high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) in anaesthetized healthy dogs gas flows were recorded at the proximal end of the open tracheal jet tube. Spirometer measurements of minute volumes with and without entrainment were made. During the inspiratory or insufflation period, leakage of jet gas (bypass) could occur depending on the ventilator setting. From the gas flow recordings and the spirometer measurements, jet-, entrainment- and bypass minute volumes were determined. From these the effective minute volume, that is the minute volume of fresh gas entering the lungs, was calculated, as well as tidal volume. The results show that entrainment volumes are relatively small in an open system of distal HFJV and that at the same time bypass can (nearly) completely eliminate the effect of entrainment on tidal volume.