Biologically variable ventilation increases arterial oxygenation over that seen with positive end-expiratory pressure alone in a porcine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVESWe compared biologically variable ventilation (BVV) (as previously described) () with conventional control mode ventilation (CV) in a model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) both at 10 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure. DESIGNRandomized, controlled, prospective study. SETTINGUniversity research laboratory. SUBJECTSFarm-raised 3- to 4-month-old swine. INTERVENTIONSOleic acid (OA) was infused at 0.2 mL/kg/hr with Fio2 = 0.5 and 5 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure until Pao2 was ≤60 mm Hg; then all animals were placed on an additional 5 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure for the next 4 hrs. Animals were assigned randomly to continue CV (n = 9) or to have CV computer controlled to deliver BVV (variable respiratory rate and tidal volume; n = 8). Hemodynamic, expired gas, airway pressure, and volume data were obtained at baseline (before OA), immediately after OA, and then at 60-min intervals for 4 hrs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTSAt 4 hrs after OA injury, significantly higher Pao2 (213 ± 17 vs. 123 ± 47 mm Hg; mean ± sd), lower shunt fraction (6% ± 1% vs. 18% ± 14%), and lower Paco2 (50 ± 8 vs. 65 ± 11 mm Hg) were seen with BVV than with CV. Respiratory system compliance was greater by experiment completion with BVV (0.37 ± 0.05 vs. 0.31 ± 0.08 mL/cm H2O/kg). The improvements in oxygenation, CO2 elimination, and respiratory mechanics occurred without a significant increase in either mean airway pressure (14.3 ± 0.9 vs. 14.9 ± 1.1 cm H2O) or mean peak airway pressure (39.3 ± 3.5 vs. 44.5 ± 7.2 cm H2O) with BVV. The oxygen index increased five-fold with OA injury and decreased to significantly lower levels over time with BVV. CONCLUSIONSIn this model of ARDS, BVV with 10 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure improved arterial oxygenation over and above that seen with CV with positive end-expiratory pressure alone. Proposed mechanisms for BVV efficacy are discussed.