Respiration of multi-injured patients with He-O2 and N2-O2 mixtures. I. Ventilatory effects and pulmonary gas exchange
Fritz, K.W.; Tabbert, M.; Mottner, J.; Patschke, D.
Der Anaesthesist 31(7): 323-329
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-2417 PMID: 7125175 Document Number: 196751
Polytraumatic patients (n = 19), requiring for ventilatory support [8, 23, 24], were alternatively normoventilated (PaCO2 approximately equal to 40 mm Hg) with either He-O2 or N2-O2 (FIO2 = 0,3) using positive endexspiratory pressures of 0, 5, 10 and 15 cm H2O. The results demonstrated that the tidal volume decreased by 17% during the ventilation with He-O2 as compared with N2-O2. At the same time the inspiratory resistance and the inspiratory peak-pressure decreased by 20%. These results can be explained by the physical properties of helium, since helium guarantees a laminar flow during respiration in contrast to N2 even in obstructive airways. In conclusion it can be said that polytrauma patients have a inhomogeneous distribution of ventilation starting at the day of accident, that leads to a rise in deadspace ventilation. Because of having lower respiration pressures by using He-O2 mixtures, pulmonary barotrauma could be reduced.