Pressure-limited sustained inflation vs. gradual tidal inflations for resuscitation in preterm lambs

Support of the mechanically complex preterm lung needs to facilitate aeration while avoiding ventilation heterogeneities: whether to achieve this gradually or quickly remains unclear. We compared the effect of gradual vs. constant tidal inflations and a pressure-limited sustained inflation (SI) at birth on gas exchange, lung mechanics, gravity-dependent lung volume distribution, and lung injury in 131-day gestation preterm lambs. Lambs were resuscitated with either 1) a 20-s, 40-cmH2O pressure-limited SI (PressSI), 2) a gradual increase in tidal volume (Vt) over 5-min from 3 ml/kg to 7 ml/kg (IncrVt), or 3) 7 ml/kg Vt from birth. All lambs were subsequently ventilated for 15 min with 7 ml/kg Vt with the same end-expiratory pressure. Lung mechanics, gas exchange and spatial distribution of end-expiratory volume (EEV), and tidal ventilation (electrical impedance tomography) were recorded regularly. At 15 min, early mRNA tissue markers of lung injury were assessed. The IncrVt group resulted in greater tissue hysteresivity at 5 min (P = 0.017; two-way ANOVA), higher alveolar-arterial oxygen difference from 10 min (P < 0.01), and least uniform gravity-dependent distribution of EEV. There were no other differences in lung mechanics between groups, and the PressSI and 7 ml/kg Vt groups behaved similarly throughout. EEV was more uniformly distributed, but Vt least so, in the PressSI group. There were no differences in mRNA markers of lung injury. A gradual increase in Vt from birth resulted in less recruitment of the gravity-dependent lung with worse oxygenation. There was no benefit of a SI at birth over mechanical ventilation with 7 ml/kg Vt.

Pressure- versus volume-limited sustained inflations at resuscitation of premature newborn lambs

BACKGROUND

Sustained inflations (SI) are advocated for the rapid establishment of FRC after birth in preterm and term infants requiring resuscitation. However, the most appropriate way to deliver a SI is poorly understood. We investigated whether a volume-limited SI improved the establishment of FRC and ventilation homogeneity and reduced lung inflammation/injury compared to a pressure-limited SI.

METHODS

131 d gestation lambs were resuscitated with either: i) pressure-limited SI (PressSI: 0-40 cmH2O over 5 s, maintained until 20 s); or ii) volume-limited SI (VolSI: 0-15 mL/kg over 5 s, maintained until 20 s). Following the SI, all lambs were ventilated using volume-controlled ventilation (7 mL/kg tidal volume) for 15 min. Lung mechanics, regional ventilation distribution (electrical impedance tomography), cerebral tissue oxygenation index (near infrared spectroscopy), arterial pressures and blood gas values were recorded regularly. Pressure-volume curves were performed in-situ post-mortem and early markers of lung injury were assessed.

RESULTS

Compared to a pressure-limited SI, a volume-limited SI had increased pressure variability but reduced volume variability. Each SI strategy achieved similar end-inflation lung volumes and regional ventilation homogeneity. Volume-limited SI increased heart-rate and arterial pressure faster than pressure-limited SI lambs, but no differences were observed after 30 s. Volume-limited SI had increased arterial-alveolar oxygen difference due to higher FiO2 at 15 min (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02 respectively). No other inter-group differences in arterial or cerebral oxygenation, blood pressures or early markers of lung injury were evident.

CONCLUSION

With the exception of inferior oxygenation, a sustained inflation targeting delivery to preterm lambs of 15 mL/kg volume by 5 s did not influence physiological variables or early markers of lung inflammation and injury at 15 min compared to a standard pressure-limited sustained inflation.

Recent findings in the use of reflectance oximetry: a critical review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pulse oximetry is ubiquitous but detailed understanding of the technology is poor. This is illustrated by publications addressing knowledge of pulse oximetry and those warning against the use of transmission pulse oximeter sensors in a reflectance manner, unintended by the manufacturers, owing to the potential for iatrogenic problems. Reflectance oximetry sensors are distinct and their application rather specific. Users must adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines to be assured of approximating the claimed accuracy and other specifications. Moreover, a thorough understanding of the device's shortcomings will optimize performance and avoid misuse. Cautious skepticism is appropriate with use of any technology but particularly with indirect measures of vital signs.

RECENT FINDINGS

The studies of reflectance sensors described here illustrate a diversity of successful applications and opportunities for further research. The genesis of applications for some sensors, for example fetal sensors, has proven helpful in other clinical settings where low mean arterial pressure and need for accurate monitoring of a SpO2 of less than 80% is poorly provided by transmittance sensors. Reflectance sensors are more prone to placement over contaminating sources (for example arteries and pigmentation), but their more sophisticated design can provide greater versatility than transillumination methods.

SUMMARY

This invited review highlights recent developments and applications of reflectance oximetry with an emphasis on the potential clinical and research advantages.

Histologic chorioamnionitis and severity of illness in very low birth weight newborns

OBJECTIVE

Estimating the risk of in-hospital mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit provides important information for health care providers, and several neonatal illness severity scores have been developed. Histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) is a known cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. To date, the relationship between HCA and neonatal illness severity scores has not been rigorously tested. In this study, the relationships among HCA, initial illness severity, and neonatal outcomes were analyzed in very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

DESIGN

Prospective.

SETTING

Neonatal intensive care unit.

PATIENTS

A total of 116 VLBW inborn infants (gestational age, 28.1 +/- 2.82 wks; birth weight, 1009 +/- 312 g) were categorized as HCA-positive (n = 67) and HCA-negative (n = 49).

INTERVENTIONS

Placental histology was performed to identify HCA. Illness severity evaluation included several different neonatal illness severity scores-Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB), CRIB-II, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-II (SNAP-II), and Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension-II (SNAPPE-II)-as well as the recording of severe morbidity and in-hospital mortality.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

HCA-positive VLBW newborns showed significantly lower gestational age (p < .0001) and birth weight (p = .0010), together with higher CRIB, CRIB-II, SNAP-II, and SNAPPE-II scores at admission to the NICU (p </= .0001) and mortality rate (p = .0018) than HCA-negative infants. After adjustment for gender and gestational age in a multivariable logistic regression analysis, HCA was found to be an independent predictor of high illness severity: CRIB > 5 (odds ratio [OR], 21.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.24-73.21); CRIB-II > 10 (OR, 56.17; 95% CI, 6.75-467.2); SNAP-II > 22 (OR, 43.05; 95% CI, 11.9-155.7), and SNAPPE-II > 42 (OR, 48.95; 95% CI, 10.18-235.4) (all p values <.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that HCA is a major predictor of morbidity and mortality in VLBW newborns.

Oral mucosal microvascular abnormalities: an early marker of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

An abnormal pulmonary vasculature has been reported as an important component of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We tested the hypothesis of an early abnormal vascular network pattern in infants with BPD. Fifteen infants with BPD (nine boys and six girls; gestational age 27.5 +/- 2.0 wk; birth weight 850 +/- 125 g) and 15 sex- and gestational age-matched infants (nine boys and six girls; gestational age 27.6 +/- 2.6 wk; birth weight 865 +/- 135 g) were examined on postnatal days 1 and 28. BPD infants showed a significantly higher prevalence of histologic chorioamnionitis (p = 0.009), as well as higher intubation duration (p = 0.0004), oxygen supplementation (p < 0.0001), and initial illness severity (p = 0.0002) than the BPD-negative population. The lower gingival and vestibular oral mucosa was chosen as the study area. The blood vessel area was determined, and the oral vascular networks were characterized by analyzing their complexity (D, at two scales: D 1-46, D 1-15), tortuosity (Dmin), and randomness (L-Z) of the vascular loops. Infants with BPD showed a significantly lower blood vessel area as well as a higher vascular network complexity (D 1-46, D 1-15, and L-Z) than control subjects (p < 0.0001). Our findings provide a new early clinical sign in BPD and stress the importance of an early disorder in the oral mucosal vascularization process in the disease pathogenesis.

Abnormal vascular network complexity: a new phenotypic marker in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome

BACKGROUND

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) (Lynch cancer family syndrome I (LCFS1) and II (LCFS2)) is one of the most common hereditary cancer disorders. HNPCC results from dominantly inherited germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes, leading to genomic instability and cancer. No predictive physical signs of HNPCC are available to date.

AIMS

Increased complexity in tumour associated vascular growth has been reported. Here, we tested the hypothesis that an increased vascular network complexity is a phenotypic marker for LCFS2.

METHODS

Fourteen subjects from an LCFS2 kindred (gene carriers, n=5; non-carriers, n=9) and 30 controls were examined. Fractal dimension (D) at two scales (D (1-46), and D (1-15), tortuosity (minimum path dimension, Dmin), and relative Lempel-Ziev complexity (L-Z) of the vascular networks from the lower gingival and vestibular oral mucosa were measured.

RESULTS

LCFS2 networks exhibited a significantly increased overall complexity at both larger (D (1-46): 1.82 (0.04) v 1.68 (0.08); p<0.0001) and smaller (D (1-15): 1.51 (0.11) v 1.20 (0.09); p<0.0001) scales, increased destructured randomness (L-Z: 0.77 (0.09) v 0.56 (0.03); p<0.0001), and decreased vessel tortuosity (DMIN: 1.02 (0.03) v 1.07 (0.04); p=0.0005) compared with control patterns. The vascular networks of LCFS2 gene carriers showed higher complexity at the smaller scale (D (1-15): 1.59 (0.12) v 1.47 (0.07); p=0.034), and higher destructured randomness (L-Z: 0.85 (0.11) v 0.73 (0.05); p=0.013) than those of non-carriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased oral vascular network complexity is a previously unrecognised phenotypic marker for LCFS2, and is related to gene mutation carrier status.

Masimo signal extraction pulse oximetry

OBJECTIVE

To describe a new pulse oximetry technology and measurement paradigm developed by Masimo Corporation.

INTRODUCTION

Patient motion, poor tissue perfusion, excessive ambient light, and electrosurgical unit interference reduce conventional pulse oximeter (CPO) measurement integrity. Patient motion frequently generates erroneous pulse oximetry values for saturation and pulse rate. Motion-induced measurement error is due in part to widespread implementation of a theoretical pulse oximetry model which assumes that arterial blood is the only light-absorbing pulsatile component in the optical path.

METHODS

Masimo Signal Extraction Technology (SET) pulse oximetry begins with conventional red and infrared photoplethysmographic signals, and then employs a constellation of advanced techniques including radiofrequency and light-shielded optical sensors, digital signal processing, and adaptive filtration, to measure SpO2 accurately during challenging clinical conditions. In contrast to CPO which calculates O2 saturation from the ratio of transmitted pulsatile red and infrared light, Masimo SET pulse oximetry uses a new conceptual model of light absorption for pulse oximetry and employs the discrete saturation transform (DST) to isolate individual "saturation components" in the optical pathway. Typically, when the tissue under analysis is stationary, only the single saturation component produced by pulsatile arterial blood is present. In contrast, during patient motion, movement of non-arterial components (for example, venous blood) can be identified as additional saturation components (with a lower O2 saturation). When conditions of the Masimo model are met, the saturation component corresponding to the highest O2 saturation is reported by the instrument as SpO2.

CONCLUSION

The technological strategies implemented in Masimo SET pulse oximetry effectively permit continuous monitoring of SpO2 during challenging clinical conditions of motion and poor tissue perfusion.

Assessing high-risk infants in the delivery room with pulse oximetry

Heart rate and oxygenation status are essential to the delivery room assessment of newborn infants. Pulse oximetry (PO) can capture these two variables but low peripheral perfusion, patient motion and the presence of ambient lighting can challenge the technology. New generation pulse oximeters claim to measure through these conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of new generation pulse oximeters during the delivery room assessment and management of high-risk newborns. Part one (study A) compared the outcome of 25 infants simultaneously monitored with two new PO technologies (experimental group) to a matched population of 25 infants without PO-monitoring (control group). Findings from the experimental group revealed a significant difference between new PO technologies and an improvement in patient outcome compared to the control group. Part two (study B) evaluated the affects of PO-monitoring on 15 very immature infants. Use of Masimo SET PO was associated with a rapid acquisition and near continuous display of PO values, which proved valuable for initial respiratory care and to determine the need for more intensive procedures. Both studies revealed that near immediate postnatal PO monitoring of newborns in the delivery room was feasible and valuable.

Comparison of a new venous control device with a bladder box system for use in ECMO

During extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), forward pump flow must not be allowed to exceed the rate of blood drainage from the patient so that excessive negative pressure does not develop within the ECMO circuit or in the patient's right atrium. A distensible reservoir ("bladder") and mechanically actuated electronic switch ("bladder box"), has typically been used for this purpose. If the rate of blood flow from the patient to the pump is insufficient to support the perfusion rate desired and adjustments in volume status and catheter position do not increase blood drainage, the only recourse is to increase the siphon pressure by elevating the patient. At the author's institution, a novel venous control module (VCM), without a reservoir, that can provide increased venous drainage without elevating the patient is used. Using an in vitro model of neonatal ECMO, the authors' compared their VCM to a commercially available "bladder box" system. Pressures were monitored in a collapsible chamber inside a water bath (simulating the right atrium), at the gravitational high point of the ECMO circuit ("neck site") and at the low point of the circuit ("venous site") at flow rates of 100, 450, 900, and 1,300 cc/min. Pump shut-off characteristics for both systems were also measured with either sudden interruption of venous drainage ("cross-clamping") or restriction of venous inflow ("hypovolemia"). Under continuous flow conditions, higher flows could be achieved with the VCM. With acute venous catheter occlusion, instantaneous ("trough") pressures at the neck site were lower, and venous monitoring site pressures were higher with the bladder box system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation combined with intermittent mandatory ventilation in critically ill neonates: 3 years of experience

A heterogeneous group of 45 neonates with severe pulmonary disease and inadequate gas exchange on conventional intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) was treated with a high-frequency oscillator combined with an IMV (HFO-IMV) system (Emerson Airway Vibrator connected to a BABYBird 1 ventilator). The mean gestational age was 33 weeks (25.5-43) and mean birth weight 2.02 kg (0.66-4.24). Primary diagnoses included respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; 23), pneumonia (12), persistent fetal circulation (PFC; 6), diaphragmatic hernia/hypoplastic lungs (4). The IMV rate was reduced from 78 to 29 BPM (P less than or equal to 0.0005), while maintaining lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) (P less than 0.005) and higher partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) (P less than or equal to 0.0025). Active air leaks were present in 20 infants and these infants responded most favourably to HFO-IMV. HFO-IMV failed to improve ventilation in neonates with diaphragmatic hernia/hypoplastic lungs. Complications during HFO-IMV were increased pulmonary secretions (11), worsening or recurrence of pre-existing air leaks (11), or occurrence of new air leaks (10). In 4 patients death was related to major air leak complications. Twenty-four infants died, 18 of them of a respiratory cause. Twenty-one infants finally survived. We assembled a well-tolerated system to provide HFO-IMV and to successfully ventilate neonates with severe respiratory disease, who failed to respond to conventional IMV. Initiation of HFO-IMV earlier in the course of the disease in this type of infant may improve survival.

Effects of infant ventilator design on spontaneous breathing

Study of the mechanical work of spontaneous breaths taken by eight infants attached to infant ventilators. Work was estimated from the volume displacement and pressure fluctuations of breathing during steady state mechanical ventilator conditions (i.e., stable peak or PEEP pressures). A broad difference existed between manufacturers of infant ventilators; a dramatic reduction was seen in work when attached to a demand as compared to a continuous flow device. Additionally, some change in work occurred, depending on the phase of the IMV cycle in which spontaneous breath was taken. Dynamic testing of ventilators can reveal differences in function.

A system for high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and intermittent mandatory ventilation in neonates

We combined high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and intermittent mandatory ventilation, using a system composed of an Emerson airway vibrator, a Babybird 1 ventilator, and rate/pressure monitors. The Emerson device, a modified air compressor with rate controller, oscillated a small volume of gas at the airway. This device was coupled to the bird unit through a circuit of our design. Humidified fresh gas and pressure-relief valves were provided by the bird ventilator, and mean airway pressure was adjusted by its expiratory-limb venturi device or by the end-expiratory pressure control. The volume of gas delivered by the oscillator to various sites was measured with a plethysmograph tuned to high frequencies. At frequencies of 20 to 30 Hz, a 27-ml volume from the oscillator decreased to between 7 and 14 ml at the proximal airway, and to between 0.1 and 2.3 ml at the distal tip of the endotracheal tube. The magnitude of this decrease depended on the size of the endotracheal tube, the circuit resistance of the ventilator, oscillation frequency, and the position of the oscillator's expansion-chamber valve. We have used this system for over 3 yr to ventilate sick neonates safely and effectively.

Combined high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and intermittent mandatory ventilation in critically ill neonates

Combined high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) was used in 12 neonates with inadequate gas exchange with conventional IMV. Diagnoses included diaphragmatic hernia with hypoplastic lungs, pneumonia, persistent fetal circulation, and severe respiratory distress syndrome. In most patients there was severe air leak. Within 10 hours of beginning HFOV-IMV the mean arterial PCO2 fell from 60 +/- 5 (means +/- SEM) to 38 +/- 2 mm Hg (P less than 0.01) and the mean IMV rate was reduced from 96 +/- 8 to 17 +/- 4 breaths per minute (P less than 0.001). The mean arterial-alveolar oxygen tension ratio rose from 0.05 +/- 0.01 to 0.09 +/- 0.01 (P less than 0.005). Mean airway pressure in the trachea was reduced from 16 +/- 2 to 10 +/- 3 cm H2O (P less than 0.05). Four patients died, three of whom had diaphragmatic hernias with hypoplastic lungs. Five of the eight survivors had mild bronchopulmonary dysplasia requiring supplemental oxygen. These studies demonstrate that in some neonates with respiratory failure who fail to respond to conventional IMV, combined HFOV-IMV can be successful.

Airway pressure measurement during high frequency oscillatory ventilation

We developed a method to measure accurately pressures at the airway opening (Pao) and in the trachea (Ptr) in neonates during high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) from 15-30 Hz. All component parts of the pressure-measuring system were tested as a unit against a reference transducer in a closed chamber in which sinusoidal pressure waves could be generated. The resulting waveforms were displayed on an oscilloscope and measured. Ptr was measured through the intramural lumen of a Hi-Lo jet tracheal tube (National Catheter Co., Argyle, NY) opening 1 cm above the distal tip. Pressure readings from uncorrected waveforms indicated a discrepancy between measured and actual pressures, as high as 100% at frequencies of 100 Hz. When the resonance of the system was damped with a CorrecTORR (Norton Health Care Products, Akron, OH), the ratio of test to reference transducer output was flat +/- 5% from 0-160 Hz for the Pao system and flat +/- 4% from 0-100 Hz for the Ptr system. Ptr system accuracy was verified in an excised rabbit lung and the systems were used clinically in neonatal HFOV. We conclude that Pao and Ptr can be measured accurately during HFOV by this method.