Ventilación de alta frecuencia oscilatoria en pediatría / High frequency oscillatory ventilation in pediatrics

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a usual therapy for the management of critically ill children. However its inappropriate use can produce lung injury. Today, the evidence recommends protective ventilation such as strategie low tidal volumes (VT) that minimize injury and thus, high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) would have a theoretical role. HFOV allows gas exchange using low tidal volumes (1 – 2 ml/kg) and supraphysiologic respiratory frequencies. In pediatrics it comprises 3 – 30 percent of mechanically ventilated patients, most of the time as a rescue therapy in refractory respiratory failure cases where conventional mechanical ventilation fails. Many aspects of HFVO in children remain unclear, theoretical benefits has no solid clinical basis, when is the best time to initiate (early vs rescue mode), which are the optimal settings, and how to monitor lung mechanics. This review examines HFVO theoretical bases, suggest recommendations for its use and considers the available evidence to understand the aspects that are still unclear.

La ventilación mecánica (VM) constituye un apoyo frecuente en el manejo de niños críticamente enfermos, quienes pueden requerirla por diferentes etiologías, entre ellas el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA). Sabemos que a pesar de ser un soporte vital, su uso inapropiado puede producir daño inducido por ventilación mecánica (DIVM). En la actualidad, la evidencia recomienda las estrategias de “ventilación protectora”, bajos volúmenes corrientes, que minimicen este daño y es ahí donde la ventilación de alta frecuencia oscilatoria (VAFO) tendría un rol teórico. La VAFO permite el intercambio gaseoso usando pequeños volúmenes corrientes (VT) 1-2 ml /kg y frecuencias respiratorias supra fisiológicas, con la consiguiente disminución del riesgo de atelectrauma, manteniendo el “pulmón abierto” y en la zona de seguridad de la curva presión-volumen. Su uso en pediatría oscila entre el 3 y el 30 por ciento de los pacientes ventilados, la mayoría de las veces como terapia de rescate frente a la falla de la ventilación convencional (VMC) en insuficiencia respiratoria refractaria. Muchos aspectos de la VAFO en pediatría no han sido totalmente esclarecidos; su efecto protector teórico permanece aún sin bases sólidas en el escenario clínico, quienes se benefician de su uso, cuál es el mejor momento para iniciarla (temprana o rescate), cuales son los valores óptimos del oscilador y como monitorear la mecánica pulmonar en VAFO. La presente revisión pretende repasar los conceptos teóricos de la VAFO, formular recomendaciones para su uso y considerar la evidencia disponible que nos permitan dilucidar las interrogantes antes mencionadas.

Utilization of the lower inflection point of the pressure-volume curve results in protective conventional ventilation comparable to high frequency oscillatory ventilation in an animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Studies comparing high frequency oscillatory and conventional ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome have used low values of positive end-expiratory pressure and identified a need for better recruitment and pulmonary stability with high frequency. OBJECTIVE: To compare conventional and high frequency ventilation using the lower inflection point of the pressure-volume curve as the determinant of positive end-expiratory pressure to obtain similar levels of recruitment and alveolar stability. METHODS: After lung lavage of adult rabbits and lower inflection point determination, two groups were randomized: conventional (positive end-expiratory pressure = lower inflection point; tidal volume=6 ml/kg) and high frequency ventilation (mean airway pressures= lower inflection point +4 cmH2O). Blood gas and hemodynamic data were recorded over 4 h. After sacrifice, protein analysis from lung lavage and histologic evaluation were performed. RESULTS: The oxygenation parameters, protein and histological data were similar, except for the fact that significantly more normal alveoli were observed upon protective ventilation. High frequency ventilation led to lower PaCO2 levels. DISCUSSION: Determination of the lower inflection point of the pressure-volume curve is important for setting the minimum end expiratory pressure needed to keep the airways opened. This is useful when comparing different strategies to treat severe respiratory insufficiency, optimizing conventional ventilation, improving oxygenation and reducing lung injury. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of the lower inflection point of the pressure-volume curve in the ventilation strategies considered in this study resulted in comparable efficacy with regards to oxygenation and hemodynamics, a high PaCO2 level and a lower pH. In addition, a greater number of normal alveoli were found after protective conventional ventilation in an animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome.