Idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS): intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) versus continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPPV), a comparative study.

59 patients with IRDS treated with CPPV in 1973-1974 are compared with 59 patients treated with IPPV in 1971-1972. With CPPV there was a reduction in mortality from 40.7% to 32.2%. CPPV as compared to IPPV reduced right to left shunting from the 6th hour of life onwards. Elevated oxygen supply was needed for shorter time and time of mechanical ventilation as well as duration of intubation could be reduced. The frequency of pneumothorax during ventilation was unchanged. The frequency of bronchopulmonary dysplasia could be reduced. One third of the surviving patients had neurological symptoms at the age of one year, the frequency was lower in the CPPV group. One patient in the IPPV group was severely damaged. The results obtained are in favour of CPPV as compared to IPPV for mechanical ventilation in patients with IRDS.