The effect of bi-level positive airway pressure mechanical ventilation on gas exchange during general anaesthesia

Abstract

Background: Atelectasis may occur and ventilation-perfusion mismatch may increase during general anaesthesia with neuromuscular paralysis and mechanical ventilation, though preservation of some intermittent muscle contraction might mitigate this process. There is still no ideal manoeuvre to minimize such mismatch or atelectasis. Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation adjusts to extra breaths and improves gas exchange during recovery of diaphragm function after neuromuscular paralysis. We hypothesize that BiPAP ventilation may limit the development of pulmonary shunt and may improve ventilation-perfusion mismatch when compared with standard IPPV, with or without PEEP when neuromuscular paralysis has been used during surgery. Methods: Twenty ventilated patients either on BiPAP or IPPV with or without PEEP were studied randomly using the multiple inert gas elimination technique (MIGET) at 60 and 120 min after rocuronium at induction and after 60 min. Non-invasive cardiac output (NICO®) monitoring and plasma concentrations of rocuronium were measured. We compared the data of MIGET, gas exchange, haemodynamic variables and pulmonary mechanics measurements between the different ventilatory modes. Results: Intrapulmonary shunt (blood flow to VAQ<0.05) but did not increase in the BiPAP group. BiPAP ventilation generated a higher level of PaO2 than IPPV with or without PEEP (P<0.05). Conclusion: BiPAP ventilation was beneficial in decreasing ventilation-perfusion mismatch and improving oxygenation when compared with conventional IPPV (with or without PEEP). © 2006 Oxford University Press.