Carbon dioxide clearance and deadspace during high frequency jet ventilation. Investigations in the dog.

The effects of frequency, tidal volume and added deadspace on carbon dioxide clearance were measured during high frequency jet ventilation at 1, 3 and 5 Hz in dogs. With a short, small volume deadspace, carbon dioxide clearance increased with minute volume at each frequency, but for a given minute volume the clearance decreased with increase in frequency. At 5 Hz, carbon dioxide clearance was less than carbon dioxide production. At 1 Hz, an increase in the volume of added deadspace decreased carbon dioxide clearance, but changes in the length of the deadspace, without change in volume, had no effect. At 5 Hz, an increased volume of added deadspace had little effect on carbon dioxide clearance, but increased length, without change in volume, decreased clearance. Carbon dioxide clearance was increased by placing the jet at the lung end of the tracheostomy tube. It is concluded that at 1 Hz, carbon dioxide elimination is governed by bulk flow, but at 5 Hz other mechanisms are important.