Simulation of pressure support for spontaneous breathing trials in neonates
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Abstract
Background
Endotracheal tubes used for neonates are not as resistant to breathing as originally anticipated; therefore, spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), without pressure support (PS), are recommended. However, PS extubation criteria have predetermined pressure values for each endotracheal tube diameter (PS 10 cmH2O with 3.0- and 3.5-mm tubes or PS 8 cmH2O with 4.0-mm tubes). This study aimed to assess the validity of these SBT criteria for neonates, using an artificial lung simulator, ASL 5000™ lung simulator, and a SERVO-i Universal™ ventilator (minute volume, 240–360 mL/kg/min; tidal volume, 30 mL; respiratory rate, 24–36/min; lung compliance, 0.5 mL/cmH2O/kg; resistance, 40 cmH2O/L/s) in an intensive care unit. We simulated a spontaneous breathing test in a 3-kg neonate after cardiac surgery with 3.0–3.5-mm endotracheal tubes. We measured the work of breathing (WOB), trigger work, and parameters of pressure support ventilation (PSV), T-piece breathing, or ASL 5000™ alone.
Results
WOB displayed respiratory rate dependency under intubation. PS compensating tube resistance fluctuated with respiratory rate. At a respiratory rate of 24/min, the endotracheal tube did not greatly influence WOB under PSV and the regression line of WOB converged with the WOB of ASL 5000™ alone under PS 1 cmH2O; however, at 36/min, endotracheal tube was resistant to breathing under PSV because trigger work increased exponentially with PS ≤ 9 cmH2O. The regression line of WOB under PSV converged with the WOB of T-piece breathing under PS 1 cmH2O. Furthermore, PS compensating endotracheal tube resistance was 6 cmH2O. The WOB of ASL 5000™ alone approached that of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS); however, the pressure of patient effort was normal physiological range at PS 10 cmH2O. PS equalizing WOB under PSV with that after extubation depended on the respiratory rate and upper airway resistance. If WOB after extubation equaled that of T-piece breathing, the PS was 0 cmH2O regardless of the respiratory rates. If WOB after extubation approximated to that of ASL 5000™ alone, the PS depended on the respiratory rate.
Conclusion
SBT strategies should be selected per neonatal respiratory rates and upper airway resistance.
Keywords
Airway extubation Mechanical ventilators Neonate Pulmonary ventilation Ventilator weaning Work of breathingAbbreviations
- ANOVA
Analysis of variance
- CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure
- Pao
Airway opening pressure
- PEEP
Positive end-expiratory pressure
- PIP
Peak inspiratory pressure
- Pmus
Pressure of muscle
- Ppl
Pleural space
- PS
Pressure support
- PSV
Pressure support ventilation
- SBT
Spontaneous breathing trial
- TW
Trigger work
- WOB
Work of breathing
Background
Mechanical ventilation weaning has become a common procedure in the neonatal intensive care unit. Extubation failure reportedly increases morbidity, length of hospital stay, and mortality [1]. Spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) with pressure support (PS) are better than continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for adults because successful SBT rates with PS are higher than CPAP without an increase in the reintubation rate [2, 3]. There are both pros and cons to apply pressure support for spontaneous breathing trials in infant. Endotracheal tubes used in neonates are not as resistant to breathing as was originally anticipated [4, 5, 6]; therefore, spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) with CPAP, without PS, have been recommended [7, 8]. However, SBT with PS is reportedly useful and the positive predictive value of successful extubation is 93% [9]. The PS criteria for SBTs are set at 10 cmH2O with 3.0- and 3.5-mm tubes or at 8 cmH2O with 4.0- and 4.5-mm tubes [9, 10, 11, 12]. There are obvious discrepancies between the two theories [7, 9]. It is difficult to clinically evaluate work of breathing. This study aimed to assess the validity of these criteria for neonates.
Methods
We conducted a lung simulation study using a high-end lung simulator to investigate the effect of reductions in PS and increase in the respiratory rate on SBTs.
Devices
We used an IngMar ASL 5000™ artificial lung simulator (version 3.4, 3.5; IngMar Medical, Pittsburgh, PA) with a built-in cylinder with a 17.8-cm diameter. The ASL 5000™ is a popular lung stimulator, which can imitate different breathing conditions and can measure various ventilation parameters including WOB, trigger work (TW), pressure of effort (pressure of muscle [Pmus]), maximum pressure drop during trigger, and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Respiratory parameters are automatically displayed on the control panel. We regarded the ASL 5000™ as a model of the lower respiratory tract (i.e., the upper respiratory tract was not included). We set the ASL 5000™ to reflect a 3-kg neonate after cardiac surgery to simulate SBTs with compliance at 0.5 mL/cmH2O/kg [5] and resistance at 40 cmH2O/L/s. The reference values for healthy neonate compliance and resistance are 1.5–2.0 mL/cmH2O/kg and 20–40 cmH2O/L/s, respectively [13, 14]. The ASL 5000™ was set to the constant VT mode under computer control, with a tidal volume of 30 mL (10 mL/kg) and a minute volume of 720–1080 mL/min, which corresponds to a respiratory rate (f) of 24–36/min. Endotracheal tubes with an inside diameter of 3.0 and 3.5 (Mallinckrodt™; Hi-Contour Oral/Nasal Tracheal Tube Cuffed Murphy Eye, Dublin, Ireland) were clinically curved and cuffed to prevent gas leakage. A 22/19-mm adapter with a built-in duct (diameter, 9 mm) was attached because the port of the ASL 5000™ was too large to attach an endotracheal tube. A ventilator (SERVO-i Universal™, version 3.0.1; Maquet, Danvers, MA) was set at PSV: PEEP, 4 cmH2O; FIO2, 0.4; inspiration time was set at 45% of respiration; and bias flow of 0.5 L/min was continuously delivered to the respiratory circuit. Trigger sensitivity was set to 5 to detect bias flow deviation of 0.25 L/min at the expiratory channel. The ventilator was connected to the artificial lung by means of a respiratory circuit (Smooth-Bor™; Smooth-Bor Plastics, Laguna Hills, CA). No respiratory humidifier or heat/moisture exchanger was used.
Study
The following work and pressure parameters were measured under three breathing settings: (1) ASL 5000™ alone, (2) T-piece breathing, and (3) PSV. The parameters were measured under two control settings: the respiratory rate control setting and the PS control setting. At first, the parameters of all three breathing settings were measured in the respiratory rate control setting. In the respiratory rate control setting, the respiratory rate was increased from 24 to 36/min. The parameters under PSV were measured with a fixed PS of 10 cmH2O and 8 cmH2O in the respiratory rate control setting. Then, the PS control setting was used under PSV alone. The parameters were measured under the PS control setting with a fixed respiratory rate of 24 and 36/min. Under the PS control setting, PS was decreased from 14 to 0 cmH2O.
Definition of respiratory variables
WOB was measured at a stable tidal volume, and the mean and standard deviation values were determined from 10 breaths to account for instability.
Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) is the pressure which is delivered by ventilator. Dynamic distending pressure of T-piece breathing is equivalent of Pmus of T-piece breathing, because T-piece breathing is not under pressure support.
Statistical analysis
Ten successive breaths per condition were measured. We used two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s multiple-comparison test for statistical analyses. WOB and TW were analyzed by linear or non-linear regression analysis as appropriately. All statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism (GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, CA). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Effect of respiratory rate on patient effort
Work of breathing on an ASL 5000™ artificial lung simulator. a, c Work of breathing under pressure support of 10 cmH2O at a respiratory rate of 24 to 36/min. b, d Work of breathing under pressure support of 8 cmH2O at a respiratory rate of 24 to 36/min. c, d Comparisons between work of breathing under pressure support ventilation and ASL 5000™ alone. The error bars represent standard deviation values. If “non-significant (ns)” is not represented, then the groups are significantly different by Tukey’s multiple-comparisons test (p < 0.05)
a, c, e Pressure parameters under pressure support of 10 cmH2O at a respiratory rate of 24 to 36/min. b, d, f Pressure parameters under pressure support of 8 cmH2O at a respiratory rate of 24 to 36/min. a, b Patient effort (Pmus). c, d Maximum pressure drop during trigger. e, f Positive end-expiratory pressure. The error bars represent standard deviation values
Effect of pressure support on patient effort
Work of breathing and trigger work under pressure support from PS 14 to 0 cmH2O at a respiratory rate of 24/min with 3.0-mm tubes (a) and with 3.5-mm tubes (b). Values for at a respiratory rate of 36/min with 3.0-mm tubes (c) and with 3.5-mm tubes (d). Work of breathing of T-piece breathing and ASL 5000™ alone are also described. Error bars represent standard deviation values. Asterisk denotes that the work of breathing under pressure support is significantly higher than the work of breathing of the ASL 5000™ alone (p < 0.05)
Relationship between dynamic distending pressure and pressure support at a respiratory rate of 24/min (a) and 36/min (b). Comparisons between dynamic distending pressure under pressure support and T-piece breathing tubes are presented (p < 0.05 by Tukey’s multiple-comparisons test). Error bars represent standard deviation values. Asterisk denotes that dynamic distending pressure of 3.5-mm tubes is significantly higher than that at T-piece breathing. Number sign denotes that dynamic distending pressure of 3.0-mm tubes is significantly higher than that at T-piece breathing
Effect of flow rate on patient effort
Relationship between mean flow and pressure support at a respiratory rate of 24/min (a) and 36/min (b). Relationship of Reynolds number and pressure support at a respiratory rate of 24/min (c) and 36/min (d) (p < 0.05 by Tukey’s multiple-comparisons test). Error bars represent standard deviation values
Discussion
Work of breathing (WOB) under pressure support (PS) is denoted by the dotted line, and ASL 5000™ alone is denoted by a solid line. Black diamond denotes WOB of T-piece breathing
Therefore, the PS compensating tube resistance fluctuates with the respiratory rate.
Upper airway resistance is similarly dynamic, depending on nasal breathing, mouth breathing, or respiratory support [20]. Nasal airway resistance accounts for approximately two thirds of total upper airway resistance, and the resistance is comparable to that of the 3.0–3.5-mm tube [6]. However, the glottis and larynx contribute to less than 10% of total upper airway resistance [21]. PS equalizing WOB under PSV with that after extubation depended on the respiratory rate and upper airway resistance. If WOB after extubation equaled that of T-piece breathing, the PS was 0 cmH2O regardless of the respiratory rates. If WOB after extubation approximated to that of ASL 5000™ alone, the PS depended on the respiratory rate. Minimum PS is adequate for neonates in a better condition, requiring a lower respiratory rate; however, PS compensating tube resistance may be necessary for neonates in marginal respiratory conditions, requiring higher respiratory rates. SBTs with PS 10 cmH2O are so potent that patient effort is decreased to normal physiological range under respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)-like conditions regardless of tube size [5, 22, 23]. Extubation is not recommended for neonates intolerant to SBTs even at PS 10 cmH2O. At a respiratory rate of 36/min with 3.0–3.5-mm tubes, the pressure of patient effort exceeded the physiological range under PS 8 cmH2O even when WOB under PSV was lower than that after extubation. Furthermore, it is necessary to evaluate patient effort to assess SBTs. Tachypnea and flow starvation may impose non-physiological stress on the lungs [24].
Furthermore, the Reynolds number at mean flow was < 1760 and was > 2000 at peak flow under intubation. Therefore, gas flow became turbulent at peak flow and then decelerated markedly to a laminar flow, regardless of tube size, because the lower critical Reynolds number is approximately 1760, below which turbulent structures cannot be sustained by any induced disturbance [25]. The pressure gradient of turbulent flow produces fluid flow less efficiently than that of laminar flow [26, 27, 28], which may have affected WOB and pressure parameters. The upper critical value of the Reynolds number for transition from a laminar to a turbulent flow cannot be generalized even when at 2000 in clinical practice. Hof et al. [28] reported that “Most pipe flows are turbulent in practice even at modest flow rates”. The inlet diameter of ASL 5000™ was sufficiently large, such that inspiratory flow constantly remained laminar with an increase in respiratory rate because the Reynolds number was constantly < 1760. These results potentially explain why WOB of ASL 5000™ alone did not increase with an increase in respiratory rate in addition to the difference in inlet diameter and absence of tube length resistance.
Limitations
The ASL 5000™ is an artificial lung model that excludes the upper respiratory tract. In our study, we could not determine the pressure at which WOB would be equivalent to WOB after extubation. The tidal volume of the ASL 5000™ can be set in increments of 10 mL. We considered the physiological tidal volume to be 5–8 mL/kg. A tidal volume of 20 mL cannot cover 8 mL/kg (24 mL for a 3-kg infant); therefore, we chose to use a tidal volume of 30 mL. The upper limit of respiratory rate was determined by dividing the physiological minute volume of 1080 mL/min by the tidal volume of 30 mL. We added PEEP at the minimum required value of 4 cmH2O for neonates, which was lower than that generally used during SBTs. However, there was no atelectasis or tidal recruitment in the ASL 5000™; therefore, the PEEP value of 4 cmH2O seemed to have minimal impact on this study. Gas is heated and humidified in a clinical setting, but humidified gas could not be used for the ASL 5000™. Water vapor has a lower density and viscosity than oxygen or nitrogen; kinetic viscosity (η/ρ [m2/s]) increased from 15.1 × 10−6 to 16.6 × 10−6 with heating and humidification of dry air at 20 °C to relative humidity of 100% at 37 °C, and the Reynolds number decreased by approximately 9%. Therefore, heating and humidification may not greatly affect fluid characteristics [17, 26, 29].
Conclusions
WOB displayed respiratory rate dependency under intubation. We should judge which strategy is appropriate for neonates in various respiratory conditions.
Notes
Acknowledgements
Not applicable
Funding
This study was supported by a research grant from Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan. The authors have disclosed that they do not have any conflicts of interest.
Availability of data and materials
The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Authors’ contributions
YY and YM participated in the design of the study and helped to draft the manuscript. TM conceived the simulation study and helped to draft the manuscript. MO and OY participated in the design of the study and helped to draft the manuscript. TG helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Not applicable
Consent for publication
Not applicable
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
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