Abstract
ABSTRACT: In vitro data have shown a concentration-dependent inhibition of surfactant by meconium, while anecdotal reports demonstrate improved oxygenation after surfactant replacement in babies with meconium aspiration syndrome, particularly in conjunction with high-frequency jet ventilation. We randomized 70 newborn piglets to either conventional or high-frequency jet ventilation, followed by insufflation of 3 mL/kg of a 33% meconium solution. Each group was further randomized to one of five surfactant therapies: 1) control, 2) 4 mL/kg Survanta, 3) 8 mL/kg Survanta, 4) 5 mL/kg Exosurf, or 5) 10 mL/kg Exosurf. We followed arterial blood gases and ventilator requirements over 6 h of ventilation. Aspirates of airway fluids were obtained for surface tension measurements, as well as total protein and phospholipid concentrations. Using a previously established scoring system, a pathologist blinded to treatment evaluated four sections of lung per animal for histologic changes of meconium aspiration syndrome. There were no differences noted between groups in any physiologic parameter measured (mean airway pressure, arterial partial pressure of oxygen/alveolar partial pressure of oxygen ratio, etc.) during the 6 h of ventilation. Airway fluid aspirate total protein concentrations increased significantly after meconium instillation (4-to 5-fold, p < 0.007) and remained elevated in spite of surfactant therapy. There was an initial decline in airway phospholipid concentrations after meconium instillation followed by a rise to levels equal to or greater than premeconium levels. Surface tension measurements increased in all groups after meconium insufflation (p < 0.012) and did not decline thereafter, despite standard and twice-standard surfactant doses of both types. Histology of surfactant-treated animals was similar to that of control piglets regardless of ventilator management. Five of 56 animals receiving surfactant had overt pulmonary hemorrhage. These data suggest that surfactant therapy with or without high-frequency jet ventilation in this animal model of meconium aspiration syndrome does not improve oxygenation, surface tension, or lung histology.
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Wiswell, T., Peabody, S., Davis, J. et al. Surfactant Therapy and High-Frequency Jet Ventilation in the Management of a Piglet Model of the Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. Pediatr Res 36, 494–500 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199410000-00015
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199410000-00015
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