Experience with an oscillating/high frequency vent

mcarter127 · April 2013

Anyone have a LO that needed an oscillating vent? They are talking about switching Ellie to one because she's still having trouble on the conventional vent. How long was your LO on it & do they have any permanent damage from it?

Thank you!

thishappyhouse · April 2013

My daughter was supposed to go on the oscillating vent 2 different times but the attendings had differing opinions. Her o2 requirements were fluctuating wildly and in hindsight I think the o vent would have helped her. She ended up being on the conventional vent for almost 2 months. So yes, it is an increased measure of support and comes with a separate set of risks but it can really help .

DrRx · April 2013

My daughter required going on an oscillating vent when she was maxing out on the conventional vent settings and was not doing well. It was definitely scary, but in the end, it was the best thing for her. She was on the oscillating vent for about 1.5 to 2 days. Then, with some steroids, she was able to wean back down to the conventional vent for about 6 hours before she pulled her tube out. They tried the CPAP and this time it worked. I owe her getting off the vent altogether to her going on the oscillating vent and the steroids.

Good luck and I hope that she does well on the oscillating vent. The ladies here were really helpful when I asked about the oscillating vent and their stories. I'm pretty sure that I remember them saying that it can be actually easier on the babies and helps a lot.

Jenrn2203 · April 2013

My 24 weeker started on the conventional vent for 2 weeks then the ossilator for about 2 weeks then back to the conventional . It will be better for her to keep those lungs open.they said its Sounds Worse than it really is. its suppose to be more gentle on her lungs. How much oxygen is she on. ? How much does she weigh? Is she on any meds now?

mcarter127 · April 2013

Jenrn2203:
My 24 weeker started on the conventional vent for 2 weeks then the ossilator for about 2 weeks then back to the conventional . It will be better for her to keep those lungs open.they said its Sounds Worse than it really is. its suppose to be more gentle on her lungs. How much oxygen is she on. ? How much does she weigh? Is she on any meds now?

so, she was switched onto the oscillator on Thursday morning. She's on between 5060 oxygen, she seems to bounce around a lot. She's about 15 oz now, although that's with everything attached so who knows. As far as meds go, I know they just started her on dopamine today for her BP but Im not sure what else. She has not received dex or any other other steroids yet. Yesterday they told us that she has Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema PIE she's had a pneumothorax on the right since Wednesday. The last 2 days have been a little rough even on the oscillator. She had multiple, prolonged desats into the low 70's. The respiratory therapist said she's been getting blood tinged mucus today when she suctions her but Im not sure what that means?

caden1206 · April 2013

mcarter127:
Jenrn2203:
My 24 weeker started on the conventional vent for 2 weeks then the ossilator for about 2 weeks then back to the conventional . It will be better for her to keep those lungs open.they said its Sounds Worse than it really is. its suppose to be more gentle on her lungs. How much oxygen is she on. ? How much does she weigh? Is she on any meds now?
so, she was switched onto the oscillator on Thursday morning. She's on between 5060 oxygen, she seems to bounce around a lot. She's about 15 oz now, although that's with everything attached so who knows. As far as meds go, I know they just started her on dopamine today for her BP but Im not sure what else. She has not received dex or any other other steroids yet. Yesterday they told us that she has Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema PIE she's had a pneumothorax on the right since Wednesday. The last 2 days have been a little rough even on the oscillator. She had multiple, prolonged desats into the low 70's. The respiratory therapist said she's been getting blood tinged mucus today when she suctions her but Im not sure what that means?

My son, who is 10 now, was a previous 25 weeker. Back then all micro preemies were put on HF immediately after birth at the hospital he was delivered at. The theory behind the HF was that it would protect their lungs as they matured. He was on the HF for a month before switching to a conventional vent. During that month he did regress and ended up with a left side pneumo that required a chest tube and another dose of steroids. At his one month neurosonogram they found he had a grade II left ventricle bleed. It ended up resolving on his own. With all that being said, my son came out of all that with absolutely no issues. He had ROP that resolved, he does not have asthma or any other respiratory issues, and he does not have any cognitive issue. Right now your daughter is fighting and if she needs to go on the HF it is probably for the best. You alway hope they don't need a higher level of care, but sometimes they do. Good luck and prayers for you and your daughter.

flerlgirl · April 2013

My 26 week guy was and it helped him so much. I hated that he had to go on it but it gave him a chance to rest and work on his lungs. I know it sucks

Hang in there! He was on it for about 2 weeks; no damage done!

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