Nasal High-frequency Jet Ventilation (nHFJV) Following Extubation in Preterm Infants

Very low birth weight infants are at increased risk of requiring prolonged duration of
mechanical ventilation and multiple intubations, both of which are risk factors for
ventilator-induced lung injury and BPD. Thus, it is important to investigate respiratory
support methods that are able to effectively oxygenate and ventilate these high risk preterm
infants while reducing their risk of lung injury. Nasal high-frequency ventilation is one
potential intervention that may decrease the risk of respiratory failure in very low birth
weight infants. Small studies have shown effective respiratory support over short time
periods in infants, however these studies use nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.
To the investigators' knowledge there is no published studies looking at the use of nasal
high-frequency jet ventilation in this high risk population.

Use of non-invasive high frequency ventilation (HFV) has been described as a rescue method
following failure of other non-invasive ventilator modes or as a means to increase the
success post-extubation. When used as invasive high frequency ventilation, high frequency
oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) or high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) utilize
supraphysiologic respiratory rates and small tidal volumes which has been shown to inflict
less lung injury than conventional modes of ventilation.

Using a mechanical newborn lung model, nasal HFV has improved CO2 removal when compared to
conventional NIPPV. Animal studies in the lab of Kurt Albertine have shown improved
ventilation and oxygenation in the high frequency nasal ventilation group versus the
mechanical ventilation group in a preterm lamb model leading towards better alveolar
formation noted histologically.

The investigators hypothesize that extubation of very preterm infants to nHFJV will
significantly decrease the rates of reintubation compared to those infants extubated to
NIPPV.