Ventilation techniques to minimize circulatory depression in rabbits with surfactant deficient lungs

Changes in aortic blood flow were measured in rabbits with both normal and surfactant depleted lungs in order to elucidate the effect of different modes of ventilation on the circulation while optimizing arterial oxygenation (PaO2). Conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV), reversed inspiratory to expiratory ratio of CMV (IRV), high frequency positive pressure ventilation (HFV), and high frequency oscillation (HFO) were used. Normocapnia was maintained throughout during different modes of ventilation. In normal lungs the aortic blood flow during IRV was significantly lower with similar levels of PaCO2 compared with CMV, HFV, and HFO. In lavaged lungs, without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), the aortic blood flow during CMV was significantly higher than with other modes of ventilation. When 10 cm H2O of PEEP was applied, the PaO2 increased maximally to normal values at all modes of ventilation, but the aortic blood flow was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) during CMV and IRV compared to HFV and HFO. The aortic blood flows at 5 cm H2O of PEEP were very similar during CMV, HFV, and HFO but significantly reduced during IRV. This study showed that at an optimal arterial oxygenation with higher PEEP levels, maintenance of aortic blood flow was maximal during HFV and HFO.