High-frequency oscillatory ventilation in adults: Handle with care

Abstract

In the previous issue of Critical Care, Gu and colleagues reported the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) with conventional ventilation in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In contrast to findings of prior meta-analyses, their main finding was that, despite reducing risks of oxygenation failure, HFOV does not improve survival in adults with ARDS.