High-frequency jet ventilation during the treatment of acute fulminant pulmonary edema.

High-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) was used during the treatment of fulminant pulmonary edema in a 45-year-old man so that toxic levels of oxygen could be avoided when conventional methods of ventilation in combination with high levels of PEEP (20 cm H2O) were unsuccessful in raising PaO2. On each of four occasions, HFJV resulted in improved arterial oxygenation when compared with conventional modes.