HFO ventilation is recognized worldwide as an effective treatment for neonates and premature babies
Perinatal mortality is influenced by many factors but ventilators play a major role in hospital treatment. HFO (high frequency ventilation) is a gentle ventilation method that is especially effective for neonates and premature babies.
Japan has one of the world’s lowest perinatal mortality rates. One reason is adoption of the latest technology. Metran HFO ventilators are used in nearly 90% of NICUs in Japan and we are glad to be able to contribute to the high level of neonatal care in Japan.
HFO ventilation is gentler to the lungs
HFO pressure waves are sinusoidal and symmetrical with respect to the mean airway pressure (MAP) axis. After passing through the endotracheal tube, the amplitude of the HFO pressure wave falls drastically upon entering the trachea so pressure variation at the airway periphery near the pulmonary alveoli is minimal.
Compared with continuous mandatory ventilation (CMV), HFO ventilation has much less pressure swing at any MAP and this greatly reduces physical injury to the pulmonary alveoli.
Power is needed for effective HFO ventilation
The tidal volume which is delivered by the stroke volume of other ventilators becomes flat after the ventilator reaches a certain power or is used with very thin endotracheal tubes.
HFO tidal volume with increase in amplitude
- This graph shows the change of HFO tidal volume (HFO Vte) for various types of ventilator with MAP fixed at 10cmH2O and amplitude (stroke volume) at 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of each device’s maximum power during HFO
- Test lung compliance = 2.0mL/cmH2O