High frequency ventilation

High frequency ventilation is a type of mechanical ventilation which utilizes a respiratory rate greater than four times the normal value. It is typically used in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, or other severe lung diseases.

Indications

High frequency ventilation is primarily used in the following situations:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS)
• Severe pneumonia
• Pulmonary edema
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma
• Bronchiolitis

Mechanism of Action

High frequency ventilation works by delivering small tidal volumes at a high frequency. This reduces the risk of barotrauma and volutrauma, which are common complications of conventional mechanical ventilation.

Types of High Frequency Ventilation

There are three main types of high frequency ventilation:

• High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV)
• High frequency jet ventilation (HFJV)
• High frequency flow interruption (HFFI)

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of high frequency ventilation is its ability to provide adequate gas exchange while minimizing the risk of lung injury. However, it also has several disadvantages, including the need for sedation and paralysis, the risk of air trapping, and the difficulty in monitoring and adjusting ventilator settings.

See Also

• Mechanical ventilation
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

High frequency ventilation Resources
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