Preliminary observations of the use of high-frequency jet ventilation as rescue therapy in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Background/purpose: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with mortality of 10% to 50%. Several investigators have reported outcomes from centers using high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in their management of CDH, but there are no recent reports on use of high-frequency jet ventilation.

Methods: During the study period from January 2001 until August 2007, infants with CDH who were cared for at Duke University Medical Center received high-frequency jet ventilation as a rescue mode of high-frequency ventilation.