Assist control volume guarantee ventilation during surfactant administration

Abstract

Objective: To measure changes in ventilator parameters in preterm infants receiving surfactant during assist control volume guarantee (AC/VG) ventilation. Methods: 22 preterm infants (up to 32 weeks' gestation) receiving surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome were enrolled in a prospective study of ventilator parameters during AC/VG ventilation at a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. Ventilator pressures, flow and tidal volume waveforms were recorded from the Dräger Babylog 8000 plus in real time, and compared to pre-surfactant measurements. Results: Following surfactant administration, 21 of 22 babies experienced completely obstructed endotracheal gas flow. Peak inflation pressure..