[Intermittent mandatory ventilation in the treatment of the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome of newborns].

Intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) is a combination of CPAP and IPPV. In the newborn period it offers the following advantages compared to IPPV alone: weaning is faster, independent control of respiration is maintained and the effect on cardiac venous return is minimized. 36 patients with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome treated by IMV were compared with 18 patients ventilated with IPPV: IMV reduced the total time on the respirator by more than 50%. Exposure to increased FIO2 and hospital stay were markedly shortened, and the incidence of complications was decreased. Intermittent mandatory ventilation represents an optimal method for stress-free and safe ventilation of newborn infants.