Abstract
To evaluate the effect of caffeine therapy (CT) on ventilatory response of growing preterm infants to a combined inspiratory and expiratory resistive load (R), 6 infants were studied before and during CT. Mean ± SEM, BW=1730±58gm, GA=32.7±0.8 wks, study age=22.3±4.9 wks, study weight=2231±132gm, CT level=10.0±1.3 mg/dl. These infants had no lung disease at birth. Pulmonary mechanics (dynamic lung compliance, inspiratory and expiratory resistance, and total pulmonary resistance) were normal at the time of study. Pulmonary measurements: tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (f), minute ventilation (MV), peak inspiratory flow (VI), peak expiratory flow (VE), inspiratory time/total respiratory time (TI/TT), and esophageal pressure (Pes) were obtained before and 60 sec after the application of R. A variable resistor was used to administer a separate load of 50 (R1) and 100 (R2) cm H2O/L/sec. Mean ± SEM control values were VT=7.6±0.9ml/kg, f=66.4±6.1 breaths/min, MV=491. 7±65. 2ml/min/kg, TI/TT=0.47±0.01, VI=3.10± 0.57L/min, VE=2.61±0.52L/min, Pes=8.4± 1.2cm H2O. Application of R1 and R2 resulted in an increase in Pes which is a measure of respiratory drive. This response was significantly greater (p<.05) during CT. Furthermore, there was no change in VT during CT, which significantly decreased with application of R prior to therapy. These data demonstrate that CT is associated with increased ventilatory drive and improved load compensation.
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Abbasl, S., Slvleri, E., Shaffer, T. et al. 1723 INCREASED VENTILATORY DRIVE AND IMFROVED LOAD COMPENSATION WITH CAFFEINE THERAPY. Pediatr Res 19, 398 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01741
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01741