High Frequency Jet and Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation, with PEEP: A Comparison of Peak and Mean Airway Pressures

Abstract

Conventional intermittent positive pressure ventilation produces barotrauma on the basis of high peak airway pressures. Complications include pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium. The incidence further is increased with the addition of PEEP, which usually results in the generation of higher peak airway pressures. Aside from this, barotrauma in association with conventional mechanical ventilation is highly likely in the presence of pneumatoceles, or a lung abscess with an air fluid level. Here, the lung tissue is tenuous and requires relatively low pressure to disrupt the parenchyma.