Objective: To understand the effect of lung recruitment maneuver (LRM) with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on oxygenation and outcomes in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) ventilated by proportional assist ventilation (PAV).
Method: From January 2012 to June 2013, thirty neonates with a diagnosis of RDS who required mechanical ventilation were divided randomly into LRM group (n=15, received an LRM and surport by PAV) and control group (n=15, only surport by PAV). There were no statistically significant differences in female (7 vs. 6); gestational age [(29.3±1.2) vs. (29.5±1.1) weeks]; body weight[(1,319±97) vs. (1,295±85) g]; Silverman Anderson(SA) score for babies at start of ventilation (7.3±1.2 vs. 6.9±1.4); initial FiO2 (0.54±0.12 vs. 0.50±0.10) between the two groups (all P>0.05). LRM entailed increments of 0.2 cmH2O (1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa) PEEP every 5 minutes, until fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)=0.25. Then PEEP was reduced and the lung volume was set on the deflation limb of the pressure/volume curve.When saturation of peripheral oxygen fell and FiO2 rose, we reincremented PEEP until SpO2 became stable. The related clinical indicators of the two group were observed.
Result: The doses of surfactant administered (1.1±0.3 vs. 1.5±0.5, P=0.027), Lowest FiO2 (0.29±0.05 vs. 0.39±0.06, P=0.000), time to lowest FiO2[ (103±18) vs. (368±138) min, P=0.000] and O2 dependency [(7.6±1.0) vs.( 8.8±1.3) days, P=0.021] in LRM group were lower than that in control group (all P<0.05). The maximum PEEP during the first 12 hours of life [(8.4±0.8) vs. (6.8±0.8) cmH2O, P=0.000] in LRM group were higher than that in control group (P<0.05). FiO2 levels progressively decreased (F=35.681, P=0.000) and a/AO2 Gradually increased (F=37.654, P=0.000). No adverse events and no significant differences in the outcomes were observed.
Conclusion: LRM can reduce the doses of pulmonary surfactant administered, time of the respiratory support and the oxygen therapy in preterm children with RDS.