High-frequency oscillatory ventilation in children: a 10-year experience

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe the experience with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in a Portuguese Pediatric Critical Care Unit, and to evaluate whether HFOV allowed improvement in oxygenation and ventilation. Methods: This was a retrospective observational cohort study of children ventilated by HFOV between January, 2002 and December, 2011. The following parameters were recorded: demographic and clinical data, and blood gases and ventilatory parameters during the first 48 hours of HFOV. Results: 80 children were included, with a median age of 1.5 months (min: one week; max: 36 months). Pneumonia (n = 50; 62.5%) and bronchiolitis (n = 18; 22.5%) were the main diagnoses. Approximately 40% (n = 32) of the patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Conventional mechanical ventilation was used in 68 (85%) of patients prior to HFOV. All patients who started HFOV had hypoxemia, and 56 (70%) also presented persistent hypercapnia. Two hours after starting HFOV, a significant improvement in SatO2/FiO2 ratio (128 ± 0.63 vs. 163 ± 0.72; p < 0.001) that was sustained up to 24 hours of HFOV and a decrease in FiO2 were observed. Since the beginning of HFOV, the mean PCO2 significantly decreased (87 ± 33 vs. 66 ± 25; p < 0.001), and the pH significantly improved (7.21 ± 0.17 vs. 7.32 ± 0.15; p < 0.001). Overall survival was 83.8%. Conclusions: HFOV enabled an improvement in hypercapnia and oxygenation. It is a safe option for the treatment of ARDS and severe small airway diseases