Effects of a Combination of Prone Positioning and High-frequency Oscillatory Ventilation on Blood Gas Exchange in an Experimental Pig Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Forty domestic pigs were used for the study. Saline solution washout was produced by bilateral lung lavage. The lavage process was repeated until adequate impairment of gas exchange (defi ned as PaO2 < 100 mmHg) 60 min following the last lavage was achieved. Subsequently, lung injury was established and each model was randomized to one of fi ve groups, with differences in the type of mechanical ventilation used (conventional mechanical ventilation in accordance with the principles of protective lung ventilation or high-frequency oscillatory ventilation) and also in the positioning of the experimental model (supine position or mode changing prone and supine positions in a ratio 18:6 hours).