Authors: Inéz Frerichs Holger Schiffmann Robert Oehler Taras Dudykevych Günter Hahn José Hinz Gerhard Hellige
Publish Date: 2003/03/29
Volume: 29, Issue: 5, Pages: 787-794
Abstract
The aim of our study was to determine the effect of the irregular spontaneous breathing pattern and posture on the spatial distribution of ventilation in neonates free from respiratory disease by the noninvasive imaging method of electrical impedance tomography EIT Scanning of spontaneously breathing neonates is the prerequisite for later routine application of EIT in babies with lung pathology undergoing ventilator therapyEIT measurements were performed using the Göttingen GoeMF I system EIT scans of regional lung ventilation showing the distribution of respired air in the chest crosssection were generated during phases of rapid tidal breathing and deep breaths During tidal breathing 545±83 552±105 599±84 and 542±85 of inspired air mean values ± SD were directed into the right lung in the supine right lateral prone and repeated supine postures respectively During deep inspirations the right lung ventilation accounted for 526±79 685±85 554±82 and 505±66 of total ventilation respectivelyThe study identified the significant effect of breathing pattern and posture on the spatial distribution of lung ventilation in spontaneously breathing neonates The results demonstrate that changes in regional ventilation can easily be determined by EIT and bode well for the future use of this method in paediatric intensive care
Keywords: