Olof Werner

Lung recruitment at birth does not improve lung function in immature lambs receiving surfactant

Background: In mature animals with surfactant deficiency induced by lung lavage, the therapeutic effect of exogenous surfactant is enhanced by a lung recruitment maneuver. We then tested whether a lung recruitment maneuver at birth immediately before surfactant treatment would improve lung function also in preterm lambs with surfactant deficiency due to immaturity.

The pressure at the lower inflexion point has no relation to airway collapse in surfactant-treated premature lambs.

Background: The lower inflexion point (LIP) on the inspiratory part of the pressure–volume (PV) loop has been suggested to be related to the pressure at which air spaces collapse. Our hypothesis is that airway collapse might instead be assessed from the upper inflexion point on the expiratory part of the PV‐loop (UIPexp), where lung volume starts to decrease significantly. We therefore examined whether there was a relation between LIP and UIPexp in premature surfactant‐treated lambs.

A lung recruitment maneuver immediately before rescue surfactant therapy does not affect the lung mechanical response in immature lambs with respiratory distress syndrome.

Background:  In animals with acquired surfactant‐deficiency, a recruitment maneuver by increased tidal volumes enhances the effect of exogenous surfactant. In contrast, in the preterm lamb model, hyperinflation early after birth impairs the effect of surfactant prophylaxis. Here we examined whether a lung recruitment maneuver just before surfactant would affect the response to rescue treatment in immature lambs with established respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Intubation conditions in young infants after propofol and remifentanil induction with and without low-dose rocuronium.

Bolus injections of intravenous propofol and remifentanil can be used in the tracheal intubation of infants and children, but relatively large doses are needed. We hypothesised that addition of a small bolus of rocuronium would ensure good intubation conditions when modest propofol and remifentanil doses were used.