Large difference between Enghoff and Bohr dead space in ventilated
infants with respiratory distress
Abstract
Background: Ventilated neonates with respiratory distress may show a
ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch. Objective: To evaluate the
difference between the Bohr (Vd,Bohr) and Enghoff (Vd,Enghoff) dead
spaces in infants by using volumetric capnography (Vcap) based on
ventilator graphics and capnograms. Methods: This study enrolled 46
ventilated infants (mean birth weight, 2239 ± 640 g; mean gestational
age, 35.5 ± 3.3 weeks). We performed Vcap and calculated Vd,Bohr and
Vd,Enghoff when arterial blood sampling was necessary for treatment.
Each measurement was classified according to the severity of acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by using the Berlin definition:
severe or moderate ARDS, ratio of partial pressure of oxygen to fraction
of inspired oxygen (P/F ratio) ≤ 200; mild ARDS, 200 < P/F
ratio ≤ 300; and non-ARDS, 300 < P/F ratio. Next, regression
analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between the P/F ratio
and the difference between Vd,Enghoff and Vd,Bohr. Results: Median
Vd,Enghoff/tidal volume (VT) was significantly higher in the ARDS groups
(severe or moderate: 0.60 [IQR, 0.49–0.68]; mild: 0.50
[0.43-0.59]) than in the non-ARDS group (0.45 [0.36-0.56]). The
ARDS groups showed a large difference between Vd,Enghoff and Vd,Bohr
(severe or moderate: median, 0.23 [0.15-0.30]; mild: median, 0.14
[0.09-0.21] vs. control: median, 0.09 [0.06-0.13]). The
regression analysis for the relationship between P/F ratio and
Vd,Enghoff - Vd,Bohr showed a negative correlation (r = -0.55, p
< 0.001). Conclusion: Ventilated neonates with respiratory
distress showed a large difference between Vd,Enghoff and Vd,Bohr,
possibly reflecting a low V/Q mismatch and right-to-left shunting.