Variable positive end-expiratory pressure in an experimental model of acute respiratory distress syndrome: an advanced ventilation modality.

Background: Introducing variability in tidal volume, ventilatory frequency, or both is beneficial during mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We investigated whether applying cycle-by-cycle variability in the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) exerts beneficial effect on lung function in a model of ARDS.

Methods: Rabbits with lung injury were randomly allocated to receive mechanical ventilation for 6 h by applying a pressure-controlled mode with constant PEEP of 7 cm HO (PC group: =6) or variable PEEP (VEEP) with a coefficient of variation of 21.

Effects of increasing tidal volume and end-expiratory lung volume on induced bronchoconstriction in healthy humans.

Background: Increasing functional residual capacity (FRC) or tidal volume (V) reduces airway resistance and attenuates the response to bronchoconstrictor stimuli in animals and humans. What is unknown is which one of the above mechanisms is more effective in modulating airway caliber and whether their combination yields additive or synergistic effects. To address this question, we investigated the effects of increased FRC and increased V in attenuating the bronchoconstriction induced by inhaled methacholine (MCh) in healthy humans.

Early respiratory system reactance predicts respiratory outcomes in preterm infants: a retrospective, multicentre study.

Background: This multicentre, international, retrospective study aimed to investigate whether respiratory system reactance ( ) assessed by respiratory oscillometry on day 7 of life is associated with respiratory outcomes in preterm infants below 32 weeks gestational age (GA).

Methods: Sinusoidal pressure oscillations (2-5 cmHO peak-to-peak, 10 Hz) were superimposed on the positive end-expiratory pressure. We assessed the association of z-score with the duration of respiratory support using linear regression and with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) using logistic regression.

A Novel CPAP Device With an Integrated Oxygen Concentrator for Low Resource Countries: In Vitro Validation and Usability Test in Field.

To develop and validatea novel neonatal non-invasive respiratory support device prototype designed to operate in low-resource settings. The device integrates a blower-based ventilator and a portable oxygen concentrator. A novel control algorithm was designed to achieve the desired fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) while minimizing power consumption.