The Relevance of Airway Resistance in Children Requiring Mechanical Ventilatory Support

Objectives: To describe pulmonary resistance in children undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) for different causes. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Two PICUs in the South region of Brazil. Patients: Children 1 month to 15 years old undergoing MV for more than 24 hours were included. We recorded ventilator variables and measured pulmonary mechanics (inspiratory and expiratory resistance, auto positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP], and dynamic and static compliance) in the first 48 hours of MV. Interventions: Measurements of the respiratory mechanics variables during neuromuscular blockade. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 113 children were included, 5 months (median [interquartile range (IQR) [2.0–21.5 mo]) old, and median (IQR) weight 6.5 kg (4.5–11.0 kg), with 60% male. Median (IQR) peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) was 30 cm H2O (26–35 cm H2O), and median (IQR) PEEP was 5 cm H2O (5–7 cm H2O). The median (IQR) duration of MV was 7 days (5–9 d), and mortality was nine of 113 (8%). The median (IQR) inspiratory and expiratory resistances were 94.0 cm H2O/L/s (52.5–155.5 cm H2O/L/s) and 117 cm H2O/L/s (71–162 cm H2O/L/s), with negative association with weight and age (Spearman –0.850). When we assess weight, in smaller children (
Source: Pediatric Critical Care Medicine - Category: Pediatrics Tags: Online Brief Report Source Type: research