查看文章

Sustained lung inflations (SI) at birth may recruit functional residual capacity (FRC). Clinically, SI increase oxygenation and decrease need for intubation in preterm infants. We tested whether a SI to recruit FRC would decrease lung injury from subsequent ventilation of fetal, preterm lambs. The preterm fetus (128 ± 1 day gestation) was exteriorized from the uterus, a tracheostomy was performed, and fetal lung fluid was removed. While maintaining placental circulation, fetuses were randomized to one of four 15-min interventions: 1) positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 8 cmH₂O (n = 4), 2) 20 s SI to 50 cmH₂O then PEEP 8 cmH₂O (n = 10), 3) mechanical ventilation at tidal volume (V_T) 7 ml/kg (n = 13), or 4) 20 s SI then ventilation at V_T 7 ml/kg (n = 13). Lambs were ventilated with 95% N₂/5% CO₂ and PEEP 8 cmH₂O. Volume recruitment was measured during SI, and fetal tissues were collected after an additional …