Journal article

An authentic animal model of the very preterm infant on nasal continuous positive airway pressure.

Peter A Dargaville, Anna Lavizzari, Priscila Padoin, Don Black, Elroy Zonneveld, Elizabeth Perkins, Magdy Sourial, Anushi E Rajapaksa, Peter G Davis, Stuart B Hooper, Timothy Jm Moss, Graeme R Polglase, David G Tingay

Intensive Care Med Exp | Published : 2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The surge in uptake of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for respiratory support in preterm infants has occurred in the absence of an authentic animal model. Such a model would allow investigation of research questions of physiological and therapeutic importance. We therefore aimed to develop a preterm lamb model of the non-intubated very preterm infant on CPAP. METHODS: After staged exteriorisation and instrumentation, preterm lambs were delivered from anaesthetised ewes at 131 to 133 days gestation. Via a single nasal prong (4-mm internal diameter, 6- to 7-cm depth), positive pressure was delivered from the outset, with nasal intermittent positive pressure ventil..

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