Evaluation of lung volumes and gas exchange in surfactant-deficient rabbits between variable and fixed servo pressures during high-frequency jet ventilation.

Objective: To investigate a novel servo pressure (SP) setting during high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) for a lung protective strategy in a neonatal model of acute respiratory distress.

Study Design: Comparison of efficacy between variable (standard) and fixed SP settings in a randomized animal study using rabbits (n = 10, mean weight = 1.80 kg) with surfactant deficiency by repeated lung lavages.