Volume-targeted versus pressure-limited ventilation for preterm infants

Background: To compare the effects of volume-targeted ventilation (VTV) with pressure-limited ventilation (PLV) in preterm infants. Methods: A total of 100 preterm infants who required mechanical ventilation during the two study periods were investigated. PLV was used for 50 preterm infants during period 1 and VTV was used for 50 preterm infants during period 2. Clinical outcomes including mortality rate, duration of mechanical ventilation, air leak syndrome, hypocarbia, hypercarbia, hypoxemia, combined outcome of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage, and retinopathy of prematurity were evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the duration of mechanical ventilation, air leak syndrome, hypocarbia, hypoxemia, or BPD between the two study groups. The mortality rate, hypercarbia, and combined outcome of death or BPD were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the VTV group compared with the PLV group. Conclusion: Preterm infants using VTV had a lower mortality rate, less hypercarbia, and a significant decrease in the combined outcome of death or BPD.