An international survey of volume-targeted neonatal ventilation

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate clinical practice of volume-targeted ventilation (VTV).

Design: Internet-based survey of all 50 tertiary neonatal units in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.

Results: Response rate was 100%. VTV was routinely used in 25 (50%) units; 15/25 (60%) in Australasia and 10/25 (40%) in the Nordic countries. The most common reason given for using VTV was that it reduces bronchopulmonary dysplasia (13/25; 52%). The median (IQR) of upper limits of target tidal volume were (1) for initial ventilation of preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome 5.0 (4.6-6.0) ml/kg and (2) for infants with ventilator-dependent bronchopulmonary dysplasia 6.0 (5.0-8.0) ml/kg. The median (IQR) maximum peak inspiratory pressure limit units were prepared to use in VTV-mode was 35 (30-42.5) cm H(2)O.

Conclusion: Half of the units used VTV routinely, but with a considerable variation in VTV practice. More studies are required to establish best VTV practice.