Inflating Pressure and Not Expiratory Pressure Initiates Lung Injury at Birth in Preterm Lambs

Rationale: Inflation is essential for aeration at birth, but current inflating pressure settings are without an evidence base. Objectives: To determine the role of inflating pressure (Delta P), and its relationship with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), in initiating early lung injury pathways in the preterm lamb lung. Methods: Preterm (124 to 127 d) steroid-exposed lambs (n = 45) were randomly allocated (8-10 per group) to 15 minutes of respiratory support with placental circulation and 20 or 30 cm H2O Delta P, with an initial high PEEP (maximum, 20 cm H2O) recruitment maneuver known to facilitate aeration (dynamic PEEP), and compared with dynamic PEEP with no Delta P or 30cm H2O Delta P and low (4 cm H2O) PEEP. Lung mechanics and aeration were measured throughout. After an additional 30 minutes of apneic placental support, lung tissue and bronchoalveolar fluid were analyzed for regional lung injury, including proteomics. Measurements and Main Results: The 30 cm H2O Delta P and dynamic PEEP strategies resulted in quicker aeration and better compliance but higher tidal volumes (often >8 ml/kg, all P < 0.0001; mixed effects) and injury. Delta P 20cm H2O with dynamic PEEP resulted in the same lung mechanics and aeration, but less energy transmission (tidal mechanical power), as Delta P 30cm H2O with low PEEP. Dynamic PEEP without any tidal inflations resulted in the least lung injury. Use of any tidal inflating pressures altered metabolic, coagulation and complement protein pathways within the lung. Conclusions: Inflating pressure is essential for the preterm lung at birth, but it is also the primary mediator of lung injury. Greater focus is needed on strategies that identify the safest application of pressure in the delivery room.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the role of inflating pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure in initiating lung injury pathways in preterm lambs. The results showed that higher inflating pressure resulted in quicker aeration but also led to higher tidal volumes and lung injury. More research is needed to identify the safest application of pressure in the delivery room.