Biphasic-flow induced ventilation allows simultaneous ventilation in several animals, using a single multiple output ventilator--a preliminary report.

Abstract

Biphasic-flow induced ventilation (BiFIV) is a variable time-cycled tracheal gas insufflation mode, using a specific multiluminal endotracheal tube. Some recent studies have reported efficiency of this new ventilatory mode in experimental in vitro and in vivo settings. We hypothesized that this ventilatory mode could be able to deliver simultaneous efficient ventilation for several animals, using a single ventilator prototype. The study was performed in three groups of three domestic pigs with a normal lung compliance. Each pig was initially anaesthetized, intubated with the specific endotracheal tube, and ventilated with a conventional ventilatory device. The animals were then simultaneously ventilated under BiFIV, using a single ventilator prototype, for each group of three animals. Physiological parameters and arterial blood gases were recorded at each study phase. All animals but one survived the experiment. We did not observe any significant differences in arterial gas exchange, under both ventilatory modes. Oxygenation was as efficient for each three animals ventilated under BiFIV, using a single ventilator device, as under conventional ventilation, using three separate ventilators (PaO2 = 112+/-17 mmHg under conventional ventilation versus 115+/-16 mmHg under BiFIV). In conclusion, variable time-cycled tracheal gas insufflation may allow an efficient multiple ventilation on several animals, using a single multiple output ventilatory device, in a normal lung animal model. If validated on subsequent pathological models, it could thus be interesting in laboratory and/or mass casualty situations.