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Intensive Care Medicine

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01-09-2006 | Pediatric Original

Body and head position effects on regional lung ventilation in infants: an electrical impedance tomography study

Authors: Sina Heinrich, Holger Schiffmann, Alexander Frerichs, Adelbert Klockgether-Radke, Inéz Frerichs

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 9/2006

Abstract

Objective

To determine the effects of body and head positions on the spatial distribution of ventilation in nonintubated spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated infants using electrical impedance tomography (EIT).

Design and setting

Prospective study in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Patients

Ten spontaneously breathing (gestational age 38 weeks, postnatal age 13 days) and ten mechanically ventilated infants (gestational age 35 weeks, postnatal age 58 days).

Interventions

Supine and prone postures with different head positions (midline and rotated to the left and right side).

Measurements and results

The distribution of ventilation in the chest cross-section was repeatedly determined from EIT data in each body/head position studied. During spontaneous breathing the tidal volumes in the left lung region were reduced in the supine posture with the head turned to the left as well as in the prone posture with the head rotated to either side when compared with the supine posture with the head in the midline position. During mechanical ventilation the tidal volumes in the left lung region were unaffected by the body and head position except for the prone posture combined with the leftward head rotation which reduced them. In both types of ventilation the tidal volumes in the right lung region were unaffected by the change in body/head position.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the spatial distribution of ventilation is influenced by the body and head position in spontaneously breathing infants. Prone posture with the leftward head rotation has the most prominent effect which is detectable even during mechanical ventilation.

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Title: Body and head position effects on regional lung ventilation in infants: an electrical impedance tomography study
Authors: Sina Heinrich
Holger Schiffmann
Alexander Frerichs
Adelbert Klockgether-Radke
Inéz Frerichs
Publication date: 01-09-2006
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 9/2006
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-006-0252-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Body and head position effects on regional lung ventilation in infants: an electrical impedance tomography study

Abstract

Objective

Design and setting

Patients

Interventions

Measurements and results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Design and setting

Patients

Interventions

Measurements and results

Conclusion

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