Effect of mechanical load on tidal volume during high-frequency jet ventilation

High-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) was studied in twelve deeply anesthetized, paralyzed dogs. Entrained volume and total expired volume were directly measured by integration of flow. Jet volume was computed from these measurements. Seven dogs were ventilated with a driving pressure of 10 psi at rates of 2 and 5 Hz for each of three mechanical loads: control, thoracoabdominal wrap, and histamine infusion. Both load conditions reduced total expired volume and entrained volume but had no effect on jet volume. Wrap reduced entrainment more at 2 Hz while the effect of histamine infusion was frequency independent. Control arterial blood gases demonstrated that PO2 was higher and PCO2 was lower during 2 Hz ventilation than during 5 Hz ventilation despite equivalent minute volumes. Five additional dogs were studied using control and wrap loads and an additional ventilator setting of 15 psi at 5 Hz. This group demonstrated that wrap reduces entrainment more at lower frequencies for ventilatory settings providing equivalent gas exchange. We conclude that increasing mechanical load reduces entrainment during HFJV and that this reduction is frequency dependent for restrictive loads.