A MODEL FOR EVALUATION OF GAS-EXCHANGE - MOUTH-TO-MOUTH VENTILATION OF INFANTS BY EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS

We describe a model for evaluating techniques of infant ventilation during resuscitation. The utility of the model is illustrated by testing performance of emergency medical technicians in mouth to mouth ventilation of a model 4 kg infant. Ventilation was generally adequate with mean (± S.D.) frequency 22 ± 9 breaths per minute and tidal volume 40 ± 13 ml. Gas delivered to the model consisted of PICO2 7 ± 6 mmHg and FIO2 0.20 ± 0.007. Assuming normal metabolic rate and respiratory dead space, alveolar gas composition resulting from the simulated resuscitations would be PACO2 = 31 ± 20 and PAO2 = 110 ± 19 mmHg. Nine of ten rescuers would have achieved satisfactory PACO2 ≤ 50 and PAO2 ≥ 100. However, the rescuers' exhaled oxygen concentration is not adequate to correct hypoxemia if associated with hypoventilation or a wide alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient. © 1990.