A non-invasive diagnostic tool for the assessment of optimal positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEPOPT) in infants receiving prolonged invasive ventilation

Abstract

Objective: Establish the feasibility of optimizing PEEP (PEEPOPT) using ventilator software in infants receiving prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation. Methods: A retrospective review of infants who underwent PEEPOPT studies. Paired-t test was used to compare dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), tidal volume (VT), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) before and after PEEPOPT studies. Results: Fifteen infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and/or receiving prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation were included with a median gestational age of 24 47 weeks and postmenstrual age of 40 17 weeks at the time of the PEEPOPT study. PEEPOPT was different from clinically set PEEP (PEEPSET) in 1415 infants; PEEPOPT was higher in 27% and lower in 67% of infants (–2 to +5cmH2O). Cdyn improved for most infants by 0.23 (0.01–0.60) mL/H2O (p < 0.001). VT increased for most infants by 1.5 (–0.5 to 3.4) mL/kg (p < 0.001), and SpO2 increased by 2% (–1 to 12%). Conclusion: Assessment of PEEPOPT using our standardized protocol is feasible, non-invasive, and provides a low-cost bedside tool. PEEPOPT differed from PEEPSET in most subjects, highlighting the importance of evaluating PEEPOPT.

Publication
Journal of Perinatology
Date
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