Expiratory high-frequency percussive ventilation: a novel concept for improving gas exchange

BACKGROUND: Although high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) improves gas exchange, concerns remain about tissue overdistension caused by the oscillations and consequent lung damage. We compared a modified percussive ventilation modality created by superimposing high-frequency oscillations to the conventional ventilation waveform during expiration only (eHFPV) with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) and standard HFPV. METHODS: Hypoxia and hypercapnia were induced by decreasing the frequency of CMV in New Zealand White rabbits (n = 10). Following steady-state CMV periods, percussive modalities with oscillations randomly introduced to the entire breathing cycle (HFPV) or to the expiratory phase alone (eHFPV) with varying amplitudes (2 or 4 cmH(2)O) and frequencies were used (5 or 10 Hz). The arterial partial pressures of oxygen (PaO(2)) and carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) were determined. Volumetric capnography was used to evaluate the ventilation dead space fraction, phase 2 slope, and minute elimination of CO(2). Respiratory mechanics were characterized by forced oscillations. RESULTS: The use of eHFPV with 5 Hz superimposed oscillation frequency and an amplitude of 4 cmH(2)O enhanced gas exchange similar to those observed after HFPV. These improvements in PaO(2) (47.3 ± 5.5 vs. 58.6 ± 7.2 mmHg) and PaCO(2) (54.7 ± 2.3 vs. 50.1 ± 2.9 mmHg) were associated with lower ventilation dead space and capnogram phase 2 slope, as well as enhanced minute CO(2) elimination without altering respiratory mechanics. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated improved gas exchange using eHFPV as a novel mechanical ventilation modality that combines the benefits of conventional and small-amplitude high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, owing to improved longitudinal gas transport rather than increased lung surface area available for gas exchange. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-022-02215-2.