Clinical study on low tidal volume ventilation in the treatment of children with acute hypoxia respiratory failure

Objective To explore the efficacy of low tidal volume ventilation strategy in children with acute hypoxia respiratory failure (AHRF). Methods A total of 79 hospitalized children with AHRF from Aug 2006 to Jul 2011 in PICU of Kunming Children's Hospital were enrolled in this study.The observation group included 55 children who received low tidal volume ventilation strategy (6-8 ml/kg), while the other 24 children (control group) were given traditional mechanical ventilation (10-12 ml/kg). Oxygenation situations such as PaO2, PaCO2, PaO2/FiO2, oxygen index and blood gas pH value, organ function, mechanical ventilation complications, hospitalization days and expenses in PICU and the mortality were observed. Results (1) PaO2, PaO2/FiO2 and oxygen index in the observation group were better than those in control group after 24 h mechanical ventilation[(68.51±7.53) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (61.64±9.28) mmHg, (162.9±21.84) mmHg vs. (152.1±19.03) mmHg, and 18.85±4.1 vs. 26.53±5.2, respectively], and there were significant differences between two groups (P<0.05); and there were also significant differences between two groups in the results after 48 h and 72 h mechanical ventilation.(2) The PaCO2 was (47.48±10.52) mmHg after 24 h in observation group, while the PaCO2 in control group was (30.17±6.59) mmHg, and it suggested excessive ventilation. (3) Mechanical ventilation time (7.6±3.1) d and hospitalization days (12.8±3.6) d were shorter in observation group(P<0.01). Barotrauma (7.3%) and mortality (20.0%) in observation group was significantly lower than those in control group (29.2%, 41.6%; P<0.01). The number of damaged organs in observation group was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Low tidal volume ventilation with appropriate positive end expiratory pressure could improve oxygenation, prevent alveolar collapse, reduce complications and mortality for children with AHRF, it should be applied for the treatment of children with AHRF. Key words: Low tidal volume; Acute hypoxia respiratory failure; Therapy; Ventilation