A system for integrated measurement of ventilator settings, lung volume change and blood gases during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation

To describe and validate a system for integrated measurement of ventilator settings and dependent physiological variables during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). A custom interface was built for data acquisition. Lung volume change was determined by respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP), modified to sampling rates of 140 Hz. Blood gas analysis was obtained using a continuous intra-arterial blood gas monitoring system. FIO2 was measured by means of an electrochemical sensor. Pressure at the airway opening and trachea (microtip transducer) were sampled. The data acquired were sent to a laptop computer for analysis, display and storage. The system was tested during a lung recruitment procedure in an animal model of respiratory distress. Linearity of the RIP was checked by gas volume injection using a supersyringe. The system operated succesfully. Agreement between RIP-measured volume with injected volume was excellent; bias was 5 ml; limits of agreement were 1-9 ml. Graphs were obtained, showing the relationship between imposed mean airway pressure and lung volume change, and oxygenation. The integration of ventilator settings and dependent physiological variables may provide useful information for clinical, instructional and research application.