Transpulmonary Pressure Gradients in High Frequency Oscillation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Patients with severe lung conditions occasionally require support with a special ventilator (breathing machine) called the High Frequency Oscillator (HFO). Effective ventilation requires that the pressure generated by the ventilator be as high as possible but not too high as this can damage the lungs. In patients on HFO, there is not a well defined way to measure this pressure. We will insert a small probe into the esophagus of patients on HFO to see if this is an accurate way to measure lung pressures for these patients. A better understanding of these pressures could lead to improved patient care.

Detailed Description
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Trials have found that the use of lower tidal volumes (6 ml/kg) during conventional mechanical ventilation decreases morbidity and mortality. Compared to conventional ventilation, high frequency oscillation (HFO) is able to provide much smaller tidal volumes (1.1 - 2.5 ml/kg) and thus theoretically may provide additional lung protection. At this time, while trials of HFO in adults have been inconclusive, the use of HFO for the management of ALI/ARDS has become widespread Patients with acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are critically ill and have a high mortality associated with their illness (approximately 50%). Currently, esophageal pressure monitors are used to optimize inflation pressures and improve oxygenation in conventional mechanical ventilation in patients with ALI/ARDS. With this in mind, the purpose of this study is twofold: (1) demonstrate that esophageal pressure monitors can easily be inserted in patients undergoing HFO and (2) report the transpulmonary pressures in these patients.

Official Title
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Transpulmonary Pressure Gradients in High Frequency Oscillation Study

Conditions
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Acute Lung Injury

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Esophageal Pressure Monitoring


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 19 years of age or older Receiving HFO Informed Consent Obtained Exclusion Criteria: Esophageal lesions or esophageal surgery within the last 6 months Morbid obesity - defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 40 Unstable cervical spine injury or cervical spinal cord injury

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 19 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Critically Ill patients receiving HFO<br> | Other: Esophageal Pressure Monitoring<br>* An esophageal pressure monitor will be placed through the mouth into the esophagus by a study physician. Placement will be confirmed by a bedside chest X-ray. Once placement has been confirmed all air will be evacuated from the balloon by syringe. One ml of air will then be injected to partially inflate the esophageal balloon. Pleural pressure measurements will be recorded after 1 minute without spontaneous breathing or patient care related movement. This measurement will be repeated at 30 minutes and at 60 minutes after the first measurement. Trans-pulmonary pressure is calculated as the difference between esophageal pressure and mouth pressure. Once the measurements have been recorded, the catheter will be removed.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To demonstrate the proof of concept that esophageal pressures can easily be obtained in patients undergoing HFO. |  | 60 minutes | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To determine the transpulmonary pressure gradient in critically ill patients receiving HFO |  | 60 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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High Frequency Oscillation, Oscillation, HFO, Transpulmonary pressure