The role of high-frequency ventilation in post-traumatic respiratory insufficiency

Post-traumatic pulmonary insufficiency or the adult respiratory distress syndrome is not infrequently associated with multiple organ-system injury. Mortality presently approaches 50%. Mechanical ventilation (CMV) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the mainstay of therapy. High peak inspiration (PIP) and mean airway (PAW) pressure in association with the delivery of large, conventional mechanical breaths are major determinants of complications. The efficacy of HFV was evaluated in this patient population (45 patients, mean age, 32.7 +/- 14.4 years; range, 11-75). CMV was provided with a time-cycled ventilator delivering 12-15 cc/kg tidal volume and a mechanical rate adjusted to provide a PaCO2 38-42 torr for patients previously eucapneic. CPAP was titrated to achieve a preselected endpoint of an intrapulmonary shunt of less than equal to 15%. FIO2 was maintained at or below 0.45 whenever possible. The Trauma Index Score for the group was 8.8 +/- 2.4. CMV yielded a mechanical rate of 6.3 +/- 3.2 and a CPAP of 13.9 +/- 8.5 cm H2O. High-frequency ventilation was provided by either a solenoid-based jet ventilator (HFJV) or a pneumatic cartridge high-frequency pulse generator (HFPG). Measured and calculated hemodynamic and pulmonary variables were obtained prior to and 20 minutes after transition to HFV. Thirty-three patients received HFJV; 12 patients received HFPG. Data were evaluated with a paired t-test. All patients on HFJV demonstrated improved CO2 elimination with the same hemodynamic profiles. Those on HFPG demonstrated comparable gas exchange and hemodynamic profiles with lower CPAP/PIP. Where measured, PAW was significantly lower with HFPG when compared with CMV.