Extubation generates lung volume inhomogeneity in preterm infants

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to describe the regional tidal ventilation (V T) and change in end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) patterns in preterm infants during the process of extubation from invasive to non-invasive respiratory support. Design Prospective observational study. Setting Single-centre tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. Patients Preterm infants born <32 weeks' gestation who were being extubated to nasal continuous positive airway pressure as per clinician discretion. Interventions EIT measurements were taken in supine infants during elective extubation from synchronised positive pressure ventilation (SIPPV) before extubation,..