Estimation of pressure drop in pediatric endotracheal tubes during HFPV

Abstract

High-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) is a ventilation modality which has been proved useful as an alternative to conventional mechanical ventilation. In clinical practice the ventilator measures the pressure that represents the sum of the pressure drop due to the endotracheal tube (ΔPEET) and the pressure dissipated to inflate lung. From the clinical point of view, it is of paramount importance to estimate the real amount of ΔPEET.