Effect of positive end expiratory pressure on lung mechanics of premature lambs

P. A. Koen, T. H. Shaffer, M. Delivoria-Papadopoulos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Pulmonary mechanics were determined at 0, 3, 6, and 10 cm H2O positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) in 8 premature lambs at a mean gestational age of 134 days. The lambs were delivered by cesarean section after spinal anesthesia, and indwelling arterial, venous and tracheal cannulae were placed before clamping the cord. Assisted mechanical ventilation was performed at a tidal volume of 15 ml/kg and rate of 30-40/min at F1O2 of 0.95. Measurements of intraesophageal and tracheal pressures, air flow, tidal volume and functional residual capacity enabled calculation of dynamic compliance specific compliance and inspiratory resistance. Dynamic compliance and specific compliance significantly decreased by 0.11 ml/cm H2O/Kg and 0.0051 l/cm H2O per cm H2O PEEP, respectively, for PEEP above 3 cm H2O. Functional residual capacity increased (p<0.0025) by 1.6 ml/kg per cm H2O PEEP. Inspiratory resistance decreased (p<0.05) by 5.2 cm H2O/l/sec/kg between 0 and 3 cm H2O PEEP and increased (p<0.05) by 7.9 cm H2O/l/sec/kg between 3 and 10 cm H2O PEEP. These results suggest that recruitment of atelectatic areas in the lungs of premature lambs may occur between 0 and 3 cm H2O PEEP, and that distension of already open alveoli possibly occurs between 3 and 10 cm H2O PEEP.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)No. 1174
JournalFederation Proceedings
Volume36
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1977

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