Pulmonary pharmacology
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Pulmonary pharmacology · Dec 1993
Comparative Study Clinical TrialRandomized placebo-controlled study on the characteristics and duration of action of surfactant treatment in premature lambs.
In a placebo-controlled study, the characteristics and duration of action of a commercially available bovine lung surfactant factor (LSF; 50 mg/kg body weight) were investigated in premature lambs at 124-127 days gestational age. Exact mating of ewes was controlled by progesterone hormone analysis. To minimize unwanted effects of narcotics through transplacental transfer to the fetus, spinal anaesthesia of the ewes was performed. ⋯ Using a low respiratory rate it was possible to ventilate at lower peak inspiratory pressures and this resulted in higher compliance values. In conclusion, the presented data suggest that artificial ventilation greatly influences lung mechanics. Due to a relatively short substance effect concerning PaO2 we assume that higher or repeated doses of LSF may be necessary to produce sustained improvements in clinical trials.