High-frequency oscillatory ventilation with or without volume guarantee during neonatal transport

Area of Science:

• Neonatal critical care
• Respiratory physiology
• Transport medicine

Background:

• High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is crucial for neonatal respiratory support.
• Volume guarantee (VG) aims to improve ventilation stability.
• Evaluating HFOV and HFOV-VG during emergency neonatal transport is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze ventilator parameter deviations during HFOV with and without VG.
• To compare HFOV and HFOV-VG during emergency neonatal transport.
• To assess the efficacy of HFOV modes in maintaining target parameters.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study.
• Utilized the fabian™ HFOi ventilator.
• Analyzed deviations in mean airway pressure and pressure amplitude.

Main Results:

• Median deviation for mean airway pressure and pressure amplitude was <1 cmH2O.
• HFOV-VG showed a median deviation of -0.07 mL/kg for oscillation volume (VThf).
• VThf <2.5 mL/kg generally avoided hypercapnia; higher amplitude settings improved VThf maintenance.

Conclusions:

• HFOV and HFOV-VG maintain ventilator parameters close to targets.
• Both HFOV and HFOV-VG are promising for neonatal transport.
• Optimized settings can enhance VThf delivery and prevent hypercapnia.