Alterations in Pulmonary Function of Premature Lambs Due to Positive End-Expiratory Pressure

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Abstract
These studies compare lung mechanics and volumes of premature lambs delivered at 139 days of gestation by cesarean section and ventilated by either intermittent positive pressure (IPP) or positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). During the first few hours of life, sequential determinations of lung compliance, specific lung compliance, lung resistance, specific lung conductance and functional residual capacity were made at half-hour intervals. Measurements in 5 lambs ventilated with PEEP demonstrated that lung compliance (p < 0.005), specific lung compliance (p < 0.001) and specific lung conductance (p < 0.005) decreased; while lung resistance (p < 0.10) and functional residual capacity (p < 0.02) increased as compared to 7 lambs ventilated with IPP.