The use of high-frequency ventilation during general anaesthesia: an update [version 1; referees: 3 approved]

• Main Authors: Karolina Galmén, Piotr Harbut, Jacob Freedman, Jan G. Jakobsson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2017-05-01
• Series: F1000Research
• Subjects: Airway/Respiratory Physiology; Cardiovascular Medicine in Anesthesia: Clinical Science; Pediatric Anesthesiology; Pediatric Problems in Critical Care; Respiratory Problems in Critical Care; Technology & Monitoring in Anesthesiology
• Online Access: https://f1000research.com/articles/6-756/v1
• ISSN: 2046-1402

Various forms of high-frequency ventilation (HFV) have been described. HFV is broadly defined as artificial ventilation of the lungs with sub-deadspace tidal volumes delivered using supra-physiological frequencies. HFV has been used in anaesthesia and intensive care for special procedures and conditions since the 1960s. Clinical interest in the use and the technical evolution of HFV has developed over time. There is a renewed interest in HFV for avoiding parenchymal movement during stereotactic tumour ablation. The present paper aims to give an overview of the fundamental physiology, technical aspects, and clinical challenges of HFV in ablation procedures during general anaesthesia, where HFV is used to minimise the movements of the ablation target.