The use of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) improves arterial oxygenation by alleviating pulmonary shunting, helping the respiratory muscles to decrease the work of breathing, decreasing the rate of infiltrated and atelectatic tissues, and increasing functional residual capacity. In a rabbit model of saline lavage-induced ALI, we examined the effects of PEEP on gas exchange, hemodynamics, and oxygenation during high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV), and then compared these parameters with those during conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV).

Twelve rabbits underwent repeated saline lavage to create ALI. The animals were divided in 2 groups: 1) Group CMV (n = 6), and 2) Group HFJV (n = 6). In both groups, we applied 2 levels of PEEP (5 cmH₂O and 10 cmH₂O) and then measured the arterial blood gas, mixed venous blood gas, and hemodynamic parameters.

With administration of PEEP of either 5 cmH₂O or 10 cmH₂O, the arterial oxygen content of both groups was increased, although without statistically significant differences between groups. On the contrary, the arterial carbon dioxide content was significantly decreased in the HFJV group, as compared with the CMV group, during the entire experiment. Furthermore, there was significant decreases in mean arterial pressures in both groups with a PEEP of 10 cmH₂O.

The application of PEEP in rabbits with ALI effectively improves oxygenation in either HFJV or CMV.