High-frequency oscillatory ventilation: lessons learned from mechanical test lung models.

Objective: Review data obtained from high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and mechanical test lung models with respect to delivered tidal volume, distal pressure transmission, endotracheal tube cuff leaks, and simulated clinical conditions.

Design: Review of selected studies from PubMed, published abstracts, and institutional mechanical test lung data.

Results: Tidal volume delivery during HFOV is altered by oscillatory pressure amplitude (DeltaP), frequency (Hz), percent inspiratory time (IT%), and patient variables.