ABSTRACT. We studied the hemodynamic consequences during the first 24 h of life in premature baboons (140 d) with hyaline membrane disease that were treated with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) or conventional intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV). Cardiac output and organ blood flow were measured at three timepoints using the radiolabeled microsphere technique. Seven of seven HFOV and six of eight IMV animals survived_the 24-h period. By design, initial mean airway pressus (P,,) was higher in the HFOV group (p < 0.01). HFOV Pa, was progressively reduced during the study period because of improving oxygenation as measured by the arterial to alveolar oxygen ratio. In contrast, it was necessary to increase Paw in the IMV animals to maintain the arterial to alveolar oxygen ratio. By 23 h, the IMV group required higher Pa, than the HFOV group (p < 0.05) and had a lower arterial to alveolar oxygen ratio (p < 0.05). We found no significant differences in left ventricular output, effective systemic flow, organ blood flow, or central venous pressure between the two groups at 3, 8, or 23 h. The HFOV strategy used in our study resulted in significant improvement in oxygenation during the initial 24 h of treatment without adverse effect on left ventricular output, cerebral blood flow, or central venousjressure. We conclude that when appropriate changes in Pa, are made during HFOV in response to improvement in arterial oxgenation and changes in lung inflation as assessed by chest radiographs HFOV can be achieved without depressing cardiovascular dynamics more than during conventional therapy with IMV. (Pediatr Res 29: 160-166,1991) Abbreviations CVP, central venous pressure Fi02, fraction of inspired oxygen HFOV, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation HMD, hyaline membrane disease IMV, intermittent mandatory ventilation LVO, left ventricular output -Paw, mean airway pressure PEEP, positive end expiratory pressure PIP, peak inspiratory pressure

Early ductal ligation did not result in improved cardiac output, increased organ blood flow, or improved pulmonary function. We postulate that gradual constriction of the ductus arteriosus may play an important role in successful cardiovascular adaptation in the premature infant. While it is clear that premature infants with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus often benefit from ductal closure, we question the practice of prophylactic early ductal closure.

Pulsed-Doppler echocardiography (PDE) is a useful noninvasive method for determining left ventricular output (LVO). However, despite increasingly widespread use in neonatal intensive care units, validation studies in prematures with cardiopulmonary disease are lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare radiolabeled microsphere (RLM) and PDE measurements of LVO, using the critically ill premature baboon as a model of the human neonate. Twenty-two paired RLM and PDE measurements of LVO were obtained in 14 animals between 3 and 24 h of age. Average PDE LVO was 152 ml/min/kg (range, 40-258 ml/min/kg) compared to 158 ml/min/kg (range, 67-278 ml/min/kg) measured by RLM. Linear regression analysis of the paired measurements showed good correlation with a slope near unity (gamma = 0.94x + 4.20, r = 0.91, SEE = 25.7 ml). We conclude that PDE determinations of LVO compare well with those measured by RLM in the premature baboon. PDE appears to provide a valid estimate of LVO and should be useful in human prematures with cardiopulmonary distress.