High continuous positive airway pressure in neonates: A physiological study

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate physiological cardiorespiratory implications of high pressures (>8 cmH₂ O) on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in preterm neonates. METHODS: Fifteen preterm neonates at postmenstrual age ≥32 weeks on CPAP 5 cmH₂ O were enrolled. Pressures were increased by 2 cmH ₂ O increments until 13 cmH ₂ O. At each increment, cardiac output, electrical diaphragmatic (Edi) activity, and clinical cardiorespiratory …