Table 2

Statistical analysis of the changes in ventilation and oxygenation with changes in gas mixture in 10 infants with bronchiolitis who were on mechanical ventilation

Gas mixture
PaCO2 (mmHg)
PaO2/FiO2
PaO2/PAO2

50%/50% Nitrogen/oxygen
45 ± 10
267 ± 108
0.43 ± 0.17
50%/50% Heliox
44 ± 10
267 ± 95
0.43 ± 0.15
60%/40% Heliox
43 ± 11
275 ± 87
0.45 ± 0.14
70%/30% Heliox
42 ± 12
259 ± 55
0.45 ± 0.09

Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Two-factor, repeated-measures analysis of variance found no statistically significant difference between the mean values for PaCO2, PaO2/FiO2, and PaO2/PAO2 for the different gas mixtures (P = 0.93, P = 0.98, and P = 0.96, respectively).

Gross et al. Critical Care 2000 4:188   doi:10.1186/cc692