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Sizing the lung in dogs: the inspiratory capacity defines the tidal volume

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To evaluate a novel physiological approach for setting the tidal volume in mechanical ventilation according to inspiratory capacity, and to determine if it results in an appropriate mechanical and gas exchange measurements in healthy and critically ill dogs.

Methods:

Twenty healthy animals were included in the study to assess the tidal volume expressed as a percentage of inspiratory capacity. For inspiratory capacity measurement, the mechanical ventilator was set as follows: pressure control mode with 35cmH2O of inspired pressure and zero end-expiratory pressure for 5 seconds. Subsequently, the animals were randomized into four groups and ventilated with a tidal volume corresponding to the different percentages of inspiratory capacity. Subsequently, ten critically ill dogs were studied.

Results:

Healthy dogs ventilated with a tidal volume of 17% of the inspiratory capacity showed normal respiratory mechanics and presented expected PaCO2 values more frequently than the other groups. The respiratory system and transpulmonary driving pressure were significantly higher among the critically ill dogs but below 15 cmH2O in all cases.

Conclusions:

The tidal volume based on the inspiratory capacity of each animal has proven to be a useful and simple tool when setting ventilator parameters. A similar approach should also be evaluated in other species, including human beings, if we consider the potential limitations of tidal volume titration based on the calculated ideal body weight.

Keywords:
Inspiratory capacity; Tidal volume; Lung; Dogs

RESUMO

Objetivo:

Avaliar uma nova abordagem fisiológica para a determinação do volume corrente em ventilação mecânica, de acordo com a capacidade inspiratória, e determinar se isso resulta em medidas mecânicas e de troca gasosa adequadas em cães saudáveis e em estado crítico.

Métodos:

Incluíram-se, neste estudo, 24 animais para avaliar o volume corrente expresso como porcentagem da capacidade inspiratória. Para mensuração da capacidade inspiratória, o ventilador mecânico foi regulado como segue: modo controle de pressão, com 35cmH2O de pressão de inspiração e pressão expiratória final de zero, por 5 segundos. Subsequentemente, estudaram-se dez cães em condições clínicas críticas.

Resultados:

Cães saudáveis ventilados com volume corrente que correspondia a 17% da capacidade inspiratória demonstraram mecânica respiratória normal e apresentaram os valores previstos de PaCO2 mais frequentemente do que os animais nos demais grupos. A pressão no sistema respiratório e a pressão transpulmonar foram significantemente mais elevadas nos cães em condição crítica, porém em todos os casos, estiveram abaixo de 15cmH2O.

Conclusões:

O volume corrente calculado com base na capacidade inspiratória de cada animal comprovou ser uma ferramenta útil e simples para o estabelecimento dos parâmetros do ventilador. Convém também realizar abordagem semelhante em outras espécies, inclusive no ser humano, quando se consideram as potenciais limitações da titulação do volume corrente, com base no peso corpóreo ideal calculado.

Descritores:
Capacidade inspiratória; Volume de ventilação pulmonar; Pulmão; Cães

INTRODUCTION

In engineering, the terms stress and strain are used to describe the microscopic response of a body to external loading. Strain is the relative change in size and shape, whereas stress is the internal tension. Thus, Chiumello et al. concluded that the stress and strain used in engineering have clinical equivalents in the lung and that both parameters are important determinants of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) risk.(11 Chiumello D, Carlesso E, Cadringher P, Caironi P, Valenza F, Polli F, et al. Lung stress and strain during mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008;178(4):346-55.) Thus, the lung stress is represented by the transpulmonary pressure difference between the end of expiration and the end of inspiration (ΔPL), whereas strain is characterized by the change in the volume with regard to the functional residual capacity (FRC).(22 Protti A, Votta E, Gattinoni L. Which is the most important strain in the pathogenesis of ventilator-induced lung injury: dynamic or static? Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014;20(1):33-8.)

Stress and strain are nearly linearly related up to the total lung capacity (TLC), with stress equivalent to k x strain.(33 Mauri T, Yoshida T, Bellani G, Goligher EC, Carteaux G, Rittayamai N, Mojoli F, Chiumello D, Piquilloud L, Grasso S, Jubran A, Laghi F, Magder S, Pesenti A, Loring S, Gattinoni L, Talmor D, Blanch L, Amato M, Chen L, Brochard L, Mancebo J; PLeUral pressure working Group (PLUG-Acute Respiratory Failure section of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine). Esophageal and transpulmonary pressure in the clinical setting: meaning, usefulness and perspectives. Intensive Care Med. 2016;42(9):1360-73.)

The strain value required to reach inspiratory capacity (IC) (the limit of physical lung expansion) is very similar between species: 2 - 2.3 in mice,(44 Tankersley CG, Rabold R, Mitzner W. Differential lung mechanics are genetically determined in inbred murine strains. J Appl Physiol. 1999;86(6):1764-9.-55 Irvin CG, Bates JH. Measuring the lung function in the mouse: the challenge of size. Respir Res. 2003;4:4.) 2 - 3 in rats,(55 Irvin CG, Bates JH. Measuring the lung function in the mouse: the challenge of size. Respir Res. 2003;4:4.,66 Caironi P, Langer T, Carlesso E, Protti A, Gattinoni L. Time to generate ventilator-induced lung injury among mammals with healthy lungs: a unifying hypothesis. Intensive Care Med. 2011;37(12):1913-20.) 2.6 in pigs,(77 Protti A, Andreis DT, Milesi M, Iapichino GE, Monti M, Comini B, et al. Lung anatomy, energy load, and ventilator-induced lung injury. Intensive Care Med Exp. 2015;3(1):34.) 2.2 in humans(77 Protti A, Andreis DT, Milesi M, Iapichino GE, Monti M, Comini B, et al. Lung anatomy, energy load, and ventilator-induced lung injury. Intensive Care Med Exp. 2015;3(1):34.,88 Stocks J, Quanjer PH. Reference values for residual volume, functional residual capacity and total lung capacity. ATS Workshop on Lung Volume Measurements. Official statement of the European Respiratory Society. Eur Respir J. 1995;8(3):492-506.) and 2 - 2.2 in dogs.(77 Protti A, Andreis DT, Milesi M, Iapichino GE, Monti M, Comini B, et al. Lung anatomy, energy load, and ventilator-induced lung injury. Intensive Care Med Exp. 2015;3(1):34.) In humans, following the publication of the ARDS Network Study, the setting of tidal volume (VT) (one of the determinants of strain) during mechanical ventilation (MV) is currently based on the ideal body weight (calculated using height and sex), assuming a linear relationship between the latter and normal lung volumes regardless of other sources of variation, such as age and race or anthropometric measurements errors.(99 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network, Brower RG, Matthay MA, Morris A, Schoenfeld D, Thompson BT, Wheeler A. Ventilation with lower tidal volumes as compared with traditional tidal volumes for acute lung injury and the acute respiratory distress syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2000;342(18):1301-8.

10 Maskin LP, Attie S, Setten M, Rodriguez PO, Bonelli I, Stryjewski ME, et al. Accuracy of weight and height estimation in an intensive care unit. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2010;38(5):930-4.
-1111 Briva A, Gaiero C. Lung protection: an intervention for tidal volume reduction in a teaching intensive care unit. Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2016;28(4):373-9.) A different approach based on the size of the lungs has been proposed. The FRC and TLC may vary widely in humans and dogs with lung injuries, as well as in obese humans.(1212 Heyder J, Takenaka S. Long-term canine exposure studies with ambient air pollutants. Eur Respir J. 1996;9(3):571-84.

13 Mattingley JS, Holets SR, Oeckler RA, Stroetz RW, Buck CF, Hubmayr RD. Sizing the lung of mechanically ventilated patients. Crit Care. 2011;15(1):R60.
-1414 Leme Silva P, Pelosi P, Rocco PR. Mechanical ventilation in obese patients. Minerva Anestesiol. 2012;78(10):1136-45.) Because the determination of FRC is technically difficult, previous publications proposed the estimation of IC instead of the functional lung size.(1313 Mattingley JS, Holets SR, Oeckler RA, Stroetz RW, Buck CF, Hubmayr RD. Sizing the lung of mechanically ventilated patients. Crit Care. 2011;15(1):R60.,1414 Leme Silva P, Pelosi P, Rocco PR. Mechanical ventilation in obese patients. Minerva Anestesiol. 2012;78(10):1136-45.) The selection of VT according to a percentage of the measured IC allows for a greater level of individualization, even across different species.

We hypothesize that setting the VT according to IC during MV would generate the appropriate mechanical and gas exchange measurements in healthy and critically ill dogs and may become a novel physiological approach for MV.

The objective of the study was to evaluate if setting the VT according to IC may result in an appropriate mechanical ventilation strategy.

METHODS

The protocol (E/121) was approved by the Ethics Committee from the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. The procedures were explained to the patient owners and their signed informed consent was obtained prior to intervention.

To determine the upper inflection points for airway pressure (PiflexSupAw) and transpulmonary pressure (PiflexSupTP), pressure-volume (P-V) curves were constructed in two healthy dogs as the first step. Then, twenty healthy animals requiring general anesthesia for surgical procedures were included in the study to assess the VT expressed as a percentage of IC associated with normal respiratory mechanics and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). Finally, data from 10 critically ill hospitalized dogs referred to the veterinary Intensive Care Unit UCIcoop and ventilated with the VT value were also analyzed.

Constructing pressure-volume curves in healthy dogs

The TLC was defined for healthy dogs as the lung volume during forced inflation at an airway pressure of 35cmH2O.(1515 Liu Q, Li W, Zeng QS, Zhong NS, Chen RC. Lung stress and strain during mechanical ventilation in animals with and without pulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome. J Surg Res. 2013;181(2):300-7.) To test this hypothesis, two healthy dogs that were submitted to ovariectomy or orchiectomy were evaluated to calculate P-V curves and determine the upper inflection points for airway pressure, PiflexSupAw and PiflexSupTP. The assessment of healthy condition consisted of a complete clinical evaluation, thoracic radiographs and arterial blood gas measurements. All animals were treated with an opioid drug (tramadol; dosage: 3mg/kg IV), supplemented with oxygen through a face mask and pharmacologically induced with propofol (dosage: 6 to 8mg/kg IV). An orotracheal intubation was performed using the larger diameter endotracheal tube estimated by palpation of the trachea and the tube cuff was inflated. Then, an esophageal balloon catheter was placed by measuring the length of the catheter such that the tip was placed at the lower third of the esophagus. The position of the balloon was confirmed by an airway occlusion test performed by reducing the sedation level and allowing the animal to spontaneously inspire. The presence of a negative deflection in the esophageal pressure curve during the test verified the correct position of the balloon. A continuous infusion of propofol was administered, titrating the dose to achieve an adequate sedation level according to a previously reported sedation scale.(1616 Boudreau AE, Bersenas AM, Kerr CL, Holowaychuk MK, Johnson RJ. A comparison of 3 anesthetic protocols for 24 hours of mechanical ventilation in cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2012;22(2):239-52.) Then, the animals were ventilated using a VT of 15mL/kg (volume considered normal in canines)(1717 Bumbacher S, Schramel JP, Mosing M. Evaluation of three tidal volumes (10, 12 and 15 mL kg-1) in dogs for controlled mechanical ventilation assessed by volumetric capnography: a randomized clinical trial. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2017;44(4):775-84.) in volume control mode (VC-CMV). Thereafter, a neuromuscular blocking agent was administered (atracurium; dosage: 6µg/kg/min IV). To generate the P-V curve, we used the low flow insufflation technique. A VT of 3000mL was selected at a flow rate of 7L/m for the two dogs, and the maximum airway pressure alarm was set at 40cmH2O to stop inspiration at that pressure regardless of the delivered VT. The airway and esophageal pressure, as well as the volume and flow delivered by the ventilator, were recorded throughout the entire procedure using a respiratory mechanics monitor (FluxRewiew GrT CO2 Software, MBMed, Buenos Aires, Argentina). The respiratory system and lung P-V curve were drawn using an offline analysis that included the software for the monitor. To determine the upper inflection point of both P-V curves, we used the method described by Venegas et al,(1818 Venegas JG, Harris RS, Simon BA. A comprehensive equation for the pulmonary pressure-volume curve. J Appl Physiol. 1998;84(1):389-95.) with a nonlinear approximation(1919 Madorno M, Rodríguez PO. Non lineal respiratory systems mechanics simulation of acute respiratory distress syndrome during mechanical ventilation. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2010;2010:232-4.) generated by statistics software.

From the P-V curve analysis of data obtained from the 2 healthy dogs, we obtained average PiflexSupAw and PiflexSupTP values of 34.75 and 18.11cmH2O, respectively.

Mechanical ventilation in healthy dogs using different inspiratory capacity percentages

Healthy condition was assessed on the basis of a complete physical examination. Ketamine (dosage: 5 - 10mg/kg IV; Ketonal 50 - Richmond, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and diazepam (dosage: 0.5mg/kg IV - Diazepet Brouwer, Buenos Aires, Argentina) were used for anesthetic induction and maintenance. The animals were treated with an opioid drug (nalbuphine; 0.5 - 1mg/kg IM; Nalbufine 10 - Richmond, Buenos Aires, Argentina or tramadol; dosage: 3mg/kg IV; Algen 20 - Richmond, Buenos Aires, Argentina).

Endotracheal intubation and esophageal balloon placement were performed. The dogs were maintained under controlled MV using VC-CMV. For IC measurement, the mechanical ventilator was set as follows: pressure control mode (PC-CMV) with 35cmH2O of inspired pressure and zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) for 5 seconds. The volume delivered by the mechanical ventilator under these conditions was recorded. Subsequently, using sealed envelopes, the animals were randomized into four groups and ventilated in a VC-CMV with a VT corresponding to the different percentages of IC as follows: Group 1: 13%, Group 2: 17%, Group 3: 21%, and Group 4: 25%. The selection of these IC percentage values was based on previously published data for human patients (15 and 28%)(1414 Leme Silva P, Pelosi P, Rocco PR. Mechanical ventilation in obese patients. Minerva Anestesiol. 2012;78(10):1136-45.,2020 Withers RT, Bourdon PC, Crockett A. Lung volume standards for healthy male lifetime nonsmokers. Chest. 1988;93(1):91-7.,2121 Hubmayr RD. Point: Is low tidal volume mechanical ventilation preferred for all patients on ventilation? Yes. Chest. 2011;140(1):9-11.) and from our own experience (unpublished information).

The other ventilation parameters were as follows: respiratory rate of 15 breaths per minute (normal for a resting dog);(2222 Rishniw M, Ljungvall I, Porciello F, Häggström J, Ohad DG. Sleeping respiratory rates in apparently healthy adult dogs. Res Vet Sci. 2012;93(2):965-9.) an inspiratory time of 1 second; positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 0cmH2O; and fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) of 100%.

A femoral artery puncture was performed after 10 minutes of MV to test the PaCO2. For this purpose, a blood gas and electrolytes analyzer was used (EPOC Analyzer, Alere). The airway and esophageal pressure values were recorded throughout the procedure using a FluxMed Respiratory Monitor (MBMed, Argentina). We used esophageal pressure as a surrogate for pleural pressure.(2323 Sarge T, Talmor D. Targeting transpulmonary pressure to prevent ventilator induced lung injury. Minerva Anestesiol. 2009;75(5):293-9.)

The inspiratory and expiratory transpulmonary pressures were calculated by subtracting the inspiratory and expiratory esophageal pressures from the plateau pressure and PEEP, respectively.(2424 Rodriguez PO, Bonelli I, Setten M, Attie S, Madorno M, Maskin LP, et al. Transpulmonary pressure and gas exchange during decremental PEEP titration in pulmonary ARDS patients. Respir Care. 2013;58(5):754-63.) Hemodynamic stability was assured in all patients by monitoring of clinical parameters (heart rate, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time and temperature), systolic blood pressure using the noninvasive Doppler technique (Parks Electronical Doppler Model 811B, Perimed UK, Bury St Edmunds, UK) and pulse oximetry (measured in the tongue) (Oximax NPB-40; NellcorTM Puritan Bennett Inc. 710 Medtronic Parkway, Minneapolis, EUA)

Mechanical ventilation in critically ill dogs

Ten critically ill dogs under MV due to medical reasons were studied. The anesthetic protocol was adjusted to the pathology for which MV was indicated. Endotracheal intubation and esophageal balloon placement were performed as previously described in this study. The critically ill animals were ventilated in VC-CMV mode. The IC was determined as previously described, and the VT was set as a percentage of the estimated IC. The selected percentage was the one considered the most appropriate based on the results observed in the 20 healthy dogs (17%). The respiratory rate was set between 15 and 25bpm according to the severity of disease, and the inspiratory time was set at 1 second. The PEEP value was selected based on one of two criteria (at the discretion of the researcher): the criterion associated with the highest peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) value, which was tested with a pulse oximeter, or the criterion associated with the best (high) dynamic compliance. The dynamic compliance was calculated as VT/(peak pressure - PEEP) and evaluated after a recruitment maneuver.

The same micro processed mechanical ventilator (Leistung PR4G, Córdoba, Argentina) was used throughout the study. The systolic blood pressure was measured using a noninvasive Doppler technique. The airway and esophageal pressure and the volume and flow delivered by the ventilator were recorded using a FluxMed Respiratory Monitor.

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics, including median and interquartile range, were calculated.

We considered 31 to 43mmHg as the PaCO2 target value according to a previous publication.(2525 Johnson RA. Respiratory acidosis: a quick reference. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2008;38(3):431-4, vii.)

Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the continuous and discrete variables between groups.

Statistical software was used (Minitab 16 software, State College, USA). P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Twenty healthy dogs (17 mixed breed, 2 Toy Poodles and 1 Rottweiler) and 10 critically ill animals (2 Toy Poodles, 2 Labrador Retriever, 1 Doberman, 1 Golden Retriever, 1 Pit Bull and 3 mixed breeds) were studied. The median weight was 15kg (IQR: 7 - 27kg).

Figure 1 shows the relationship between IC and body weight in healthy dogs (Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient 0.889, p < 0.001). The median weight normalized IC was 84.67mL/kg (72.75 - 99.66).

Figure 1
Relationship between body weight and inspiratory capacity in healthy dogs.

IC - inspiratory capacity.


The weight from healthy animals did not differ among VT groups (p = 0.962).

The dogs of all groups displayed a broad range of tidal volumes per body weight (also, in some cases, retrieving identical VTs per body weight for different groups) when defined by different percentages of the IC (Figure 2).

Figure 2
Tidal volume per kg of body weight according to inspiratory capacity percentage group.

IC - inspiratory capacity.


Table 1 displays the main physiological findings in healthy dogs. Healthy dogs ventilated with a VT of 17% of the IC were more frequently within the expected PaCO2 compared with the other groups (Figure 3 and Table 1). Figure 4 shows the inspiratory static respiratory system and transpulmonary pressures depending on the VT selection. Both static pressures were low even at higher volumes.

Table 1
Main findings in healthy dogs according to tidal volume group
Figure 3
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide according to the inspiratory capacity percentage group. Horizontal dashed lines represent the expected partial pressure of carbon dioxide value.

PaCO2 - partial pressure of carbon dioxide; IC - inspiratory capacity.


Figure 4
Static respiratory system and transpulmonary inspiratory pressures according to tidal volume group.

IC - inspiratory capacity.


To determine whether a VT selection using the IC measurement strategy results useful in pathological condition, we report the results of a series of ventilated critically ill dogs with a VT corresponding to 17% of the IC. Medical reasons indicating MV for critically ill dogs were profound shock (3 dogs), hypoventilation (2 dogs), respiratory failure (4 dogs) and profound shock with hypoventilation (1 dog). Table 2 summarizes the respiratory parameters of these animals after 10 minutes of MV. The median respiratory rate was 19 (15.5 - 20) bpm, and the initial FIO2 for all the dogs was 100%. Median PaCO2 was 34.45 (33.6 - 42.3) and was not significantly different from the values observed in healthy animals. Eight of 10 recorded PaCO2 values were within proposed ranges. The respiratory system and transpulmonary inspiratory pressures and driving pressure were significantly higher among the critically ill dogs (Table 3).

Table 2
Respiratory parameters of critically ill dogs
Table 3
Comparison of respiratory parameters between healthy and critically ill dogs ventilated with the same tidal volume selection strategy (17% of the inspiratory capacity)

DISCUSSION

The main finding of this study is that a simple strategy of VT selection for MV based on respiratory system measurements is useful in animals regardless of their lineage and size. The use of a VT based on IC is simple and requires only a few seconds. In fact, the only equipment required is a mechanical ventilator to measure volume and pressure. This approach may produce a better setting of ventilation compared with a more traditional method based on body size metrics. This may prevent hypoventilation and overstraining by adapting the parameters to the clinical conditions of the patient, considering the former situation as the main determinant of the impact of VT on the end inspiratory pressures.

Consistent with human physiology, during a maximal inspiration, the point at which respiratory system compliance starts to fall is near TLC. When referring to MV, this limit is marked by the upper inflection point of the static P-V curve, and its value is approximately 30cmH2O.(2626 Servillo G, De Robertis E, Maggiore S, Lemaire F, Brochard L, Tufano R. The upper inflection point of the pressure-volume curve. Influence of methodology and of different modes of ventilation. Intensive Care Med. 2002;28(7):842-9.) Based on this concept, physicians recommend not exceeding this limit in critically ill human patients under MV.(1010 Maskin LP, Attie S, Setten M, Rodriguez PO, Bonelli I, Stryjewski ME, et al. Accuracy of weight and height estimation in an intensive care unit. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2010;38(5):930-4.,2727 Barbas CS, Isola AM, Farias AM, Cavalcanti AB, Gama AM, Duarte AC, et al. Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part I. Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2014;26(2):89-121.) The TLC has been defined for healthy dogs as the lung volume during forced inflation at an airway pressure of 35cmH2O.(44 Tankersley CG, Rabold R, Mitzner W. Differential lung mechanics are genetically determined in inbred murine strains. J Appl Physiol. 1999;86(6):1764-9.) This value is in line with our results. When generating the P-V curve, we found that the average upper inflection point corresponded to a value of approximately 35 cmH2O PiflexSupAw and 18cmH2O PiflexSupTP.

A VT setting for dogs ranging from 5 up to 20mL/kg of body weight was recommended.(2828 Balakrishnan A, King LG. Updates on pulmonary function testing in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2014;44(1):1-18.

29 Hopper K, Powell LL. Basics of mechanical ventilation for dogs and cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43(4):955-69.

30 Hopper K. Basic mechanical ventilation in: Silverstein DC, Hopper K. Small animal critical care medicine. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. p. 900-3.
-3131 King LG. Textbook of respiratory disease in dogs and cats. St. Louis: Saunders; 2004.) In a recent paper, Villar and Kacmarek state that all mammals, from an elephant to a shrew, have a VT that is related to body size at 6.3mL/kg, regardless of the body mass.(3232 Villar J, Kacmarek RM. It does not matter whether you are an elephant or a shrew: all mammals' tidal volumes are similarly scaled! Minerva Anestesiol. 2014;80(11):1149-51.) In the same sense, allometric scaling studies proposed that the formula 7.69 x body weight1,04 (almost 8mL/kg body weight) best reflects the VT in all mammals.(3333 Pypendop BH, Jones JH. Indexing cardiovascular and respiratory variables: allometric scaling principles. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2015;42(4):343-9.) However, in an article published in 1972, Robinson et al. reported that the lung volume/body weight unit ratio is greater in dogs than in other species.(3434 Robinson NE, Gillespie JR, Berry JD, Simpson A. Lung compliance, lung volumes, and single-breath diffusing capacity in dogs. J Appl Physiol. 1972;33(6):808-12.) The authors also suggested that the use of the same formula for all species is unlikely because of the heterogeneous anatomic structure of lungs in mammals, variation in thoracic conformations and the gravitational effects in the lungs of larger species. Additionally, in a study with 20 dogs of different breeds, the physiologic dead space had an average value of approximately 7mL/kg body weight.(3535 Mosing M, Staub L, Moens Y. Comparison of two different methods for physiologic dead space measurements in ventilated dogs in a clinical setting. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2010;37(5):393-400.) This is consistent with our findings, in which normocapnia at a VT of 12.69 (11.53 - 16) and 12.96 (10.18 - 14.78) mL/kg were observed both in healthy and critically ill dogs using the optimal IC based setting (17% of the IC).

In a recent experimental study in Beagles, researchers reported that the relationship between lung size (FRC) and body weight were not proportional in healthy dogs.(3636 Liu Q, Gao YH, Hua DM, Li W, Cheng Z, Zheng H, et al. Functional residual capacity in beagle dogs with and without acute respiratory distress syndrome. J Thorac Dis. 2015;7(8):1459-66.) This finding supports the hypothesis that the use of VT based on real body weight could be inadequate in this setting. The authors also developed a formula equivalent based on age, body size and weight that correlated well with the FRC. Unfortunately, this formula was not accurate in oleic acid injured dogs.

In our study, the variation in measurements in relation to the body weight among the healthy animals in our sample (72.75 - 99.66mL/kg) supports the hypothesis that the selection of VT based on actual lung size may be more suitable than selection based on body weight.

Driving pressure (DP) of the respiratory system (difference between inspiratory and expiratory static elastic pressures) has gained attention as a monitoring parameter to limit stress and strain in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).(3737 Amato MB, Meade MO, Slutsky AS, Brochard L, Costa EL, Schoenfeld DA, et al. Driving pressure and survival in the acute respiratory distress syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(8):747-55.) Because DP reflects the relationship between VT and compliance, the control of this parameter also allows adjusting the VT to the pulmonary functional size. For a given value of DP, the lower the compliance, the less the administered VT. Although it is currently recommended not to exceed 15cmH2O, there is not only one suggested DP value for MV setting. According to the strategy of selecting the VT based on the IC, a unique VT value can be obtained (the one that best fits the functional lung size), and the DP can be used for monitoring and eventually as an adjustment variable.

Recently, a review suggested that the transpulmonary driving pressure should be kept below 15 - 20cmH2O in patients with homogeneous lung parenchyma and possibly below 10 - 12cm/H2O in those with inhomogeneous parenchyma (ARDS).(33 Mauri T, Yoshida T, Bellani G, Goligher EC, Carteaux G, Rittayamai N, Mojoli F, Chiumello D, Piquilloud L, Grasso S, Jubran A, Laghi F, Magder S, Pesenti A, Loring S, Gattinoni L, Talmor D, Blanch L, Amato M, Chen L, Brochard L, Mancebo J; PLeUral pressure working Group (PLUG-Acute Respiratory Failure section of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine). Esophageal and transpulmonary pressure in the clinical setting: meaning, usefulness and perspectives. Intensive Care Med. 2016;42(9):1360-73.) None of our healthy or critically ill dogs ventilated a VT equal to 17% of the IC, presented high inspiratory transpulmonary or static respiratory system pressures, and the driving pressures were low.

In the present study, the respiratory rate for healthy dogs was arbitrarily fixed at 15 bpm (a value that is in the middle of the range usually recommended for healthy dogs).(2828 Balakrishnan A, King LG. Updates on pulmonary function testing in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2014;44(1):1-18.

29 Hopper K, Powell LL. Basics of mechanical ventilation for dogs and cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43(4):955-69.

30 Hopper K. Basic mechanical ventilation in: Silverstein DC, Hopper K. Small animal critical care medicine. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. p. 900-3.
-3131 King LG. Textbook of respiratory disease in dogs and cats. St. Louis: Saunders; 2004.) This could be considered a limitation. According to some studies, small animals breathe faster than large animals.(3838 Crisfill ML, Widdicombe JG. Physical characteristics of the chest and lungs and the work of breathing in different mammalian species. J Physiol. 1961;158:1-14.) Allometric scaling studies(3333 Pypendop BH, Jones JH. Indexing cardiovascular and respiratory variables: allometric scaling principles. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2015;42(4):343-9.) proposed that the respiratory rate is represented by the formula 53.5 x weight-0,33. The use of a range for breaths per minute dependent on the size of the animal would have been more appropriate. Data suggest that faster rates should be used in small animals and slower rates in larger individuals.

Unfortunately, many variables were not monitored in this study. Volumetric capnography would allow a better understanding of the respiratory dead space and alveolar ventilation in each strategy. As MV may cause an important hemodynamic disturbance, blood pressure needs to be monitored. In the present report we applied non-invasive devices; however, invasive blood pressure monitoring would be a better option.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we observed that inspiratory capacity normalized to body weight in healthy dogs from different breeds displayed significant variation. The selection of a tidal volume based on the body weight alone may result in over or under-strain in certain dogs. By contrast, tidal volume based on the inspiratory capacity of each animal is confirmed to be a useful and simple tool when setting ventilator parameters, both in healthy and critically ill dogs. In fact, this strategy allowed most of the dogs to achieve appropriate PaCO2 values and lung mechanics within acceptable physiological ranges. A similar approach should also be evaluated in other species including human beings if we consider the potential limitations of a tidal volume titration based on the calculated ideal body weight.

REFERÊNCIAS

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Edited by

Responsible editor: Jorge Ibrain Figueira Salluh

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Apr-Jun 2018
  • Date of issue
    June 2018

History

  • Received
    10 Oct 2017
  • Accepted
    10 Jan 2018
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