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Contraindications of a High Frequency Oscillator

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation is a device that uses small volumes of gas and high mean airway pressures to help people breathe. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation helps oxygenate and ventilate without lung injury typically caused by ventilators. High-frequency oscillations can develop problems when the patient suffers from severe airflow obstruction. Also, patients with intracranial hypertension can develop complications.

  1. Intracranial Hypertension

    • Intracranial hypertension is high-pressure cerebrospinal fluid within the skull. Cerebrospinal fluid is one of the major parts of the skull. There is only so much space in the brain, so when there's too much pressure from one part of the brain, such as the cerebrospinal fluid, there is less space for other substances, such as the blood. Cerebrospinal fluid plays an important role in the brain, cushioning it and providing nutrients. However, the blood is also very important, providing oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Blood deprivation can lead to strokes and other serious health problems.

    Lung Obstruction

    • Patients with lung obstruction disease should not use high frequency oscillators. Cigarette smoking is generally the cause of lung obstruction disease, but long-term exposure to fumes, dust and pollution can also cause it. When the patient cannot breathe, due to an obstruction in the airways, the high-frequency oscillator will not help the patient breathe.

    Bronchitis and Emphysema

    • When people breathe, air passes by air sacs in the lungs. Oxygen enters into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide exits it. Two main forms of obstructive lung disease are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema results from damaged air sacs, which lose their shape and do not absorb as much air. Irritated and inflamed airways cause chronic bronchitis, which reduces how much air can pass through the air pathways.

    Emphysema Treatment

    • Those suffering from emphysema should stop smoking cigarettes. Physicians can prescribe bronchodilators, to help relieve coughing, or corticosteroids. Physicians can work with patients in pulmonary rehabilitation programs and help them engage in breathing exercises and techniques designed to help improve their ability to breathe by increasing the lung capacity. Patients are also often on supplemental oxygen, sometimes 24 hours a day. Patients with very serious emphysema often have surgery, including lung volume reduction or a lung transplant.

    Bronchitis Treatment

    • Patients usually recover from bronchitis on their own after drinking fluids, breathing warm, moist air and resting. Patients can take antibiotics to fight infection, cough medicine to suppress the cough and other medications, such as an inhaler to help reduce inflammation in the airways. Breathing exercise programs administered by a respiratory therapist may also help.

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