Hemodynamic effects of noninvasive ventilation with facial mask in premature infants

Correspondence to: Andrezza de Lemos Bezerra – Rua do Espinheiro, 685, apto. 1602 – CEP: 52020-020 – Recife (PE) – E-mail: alemos4@gmail.com Presentation: apr. 2013 – Accepted for publication: nov. 2013 – Financial source: none – Conflict of interest: nothing to declare – Presentation at scientific event: 2 Brazilian Congress of Perinatology, November 2012 – Approval at the Ethics Committee n. 0199.0.236.000-10. ABSTRACT | Premature infants present inspiratory muscles disadvantage of their biomechanics, which predisposes to muscular fatigue and airway collapse, therefore noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is the choice expansion therapy for this population. Despite this, studies concerning the risk and beneficial effects of its application by facial mask in neonates are not available. The aim of this study was to evaluate hemodynamic variables in premature infants (PTI) submitted to NIV by facial mask, as a therapeutic resource. It is a case series study, in which 14 PTI were evaluated, with gestational age (GA) <37 weeks, both genders, according to indication of lung expansion therapy. The PTI were evaluated before, during, immediately after, 30 and 60 minutes after application of NIV, and a heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and peripheral oxygen saturation (PO 2 S) were collected. It was observed a significant increase in PO 2 S when compared the moment during to the moment before the application of NIV (96.95 [94.98; 99.48] versus 99.15 [97.98; 100.00], p<0.05). Non-significant variations of HR and mean BP resulting from NIV by facial mask were observed. With the present results, it is suggested that NIV by facial mask is beneficial for the PTI, without adding hemodynamic instability.