Trials of high frequency jet ventilation in preterm infants with severe respiratory disease.

Nine preterm newborn infants were maintained on conventional mechanical ventilation for respiratory diseases were given high frequency jet ventilation in the same inspired FiO2 for short periods (10-120 min). Lower mean airway pressures were used in high frequency jet ventilation (0.70 +/- 0.2 kPa versus 0.96 +/- 0.2 kPa in intermittent positive pressure ventilation), and peak inspiratory pressures were reduced from 2.06 +/- 0.4 to 1.38 +/- 0.24 kPa. Respiratory and haemodynamic data were compared with those obtained in intermittent positive pressure ventilation, PaO2 and PCO2 were similar, while an increase in pH and reduction of central venous pressure were observed during high frequency jet ventilation. This preliminary study indicates that high frequency jet ventilation provides good ventilatory support, at least for short periods, with reduced airway pressures, and could be a promising technique for prevention of acute and chronic pulmonary barotrauma.