[Pulmonary gas exchange in conventional ventilation and high frequency ventilation in severe respiratory insufficiency]

Abstract

During high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) adequate alveolar ventilation may be achieved with lower (-35%, p less than 0.0005) central airway pressures than during conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). Due to increasing ventilation-perfusion inequalities, however, intrapulmonary shunt is then considerably increased (+52%, p less than 0.0005). In disease states with extensive shunting (e.g. ARDS) both ventilation modes can provide sufficient oxygenation only if high PEEP is applied.