🔍 Key Findings
- CPAP at 5 cmH₂O via helmet significantly improved PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio in the early postoperative period of brachycephalic dogs, supporting enhanced pulmonary oxygen exchange (p = .04).
- CPAP had no significant effect on SpO₂ (p = .9), PaCO₂ (p = .18), or rectal temperature (p = .5).
- Helmet tolerance decreased over time, with 13 dogs withdrawn for intolerance (9 CPAP, 4 control) and 6 dogs withdrawn for airway compromise (5 control, 1 CPAP).
- CPAP group maintained PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios near or above 400 mmHg, while control dogs showed consistently lower values.
- Authors suggest PaO₂/FiO₂ is a more reliable oxygenation measure than SpO₂ for evaluating postoperative lung function.
- The study found no cases of hyperthermia; temperatures normalized over time in both groups.
- Arterial catheterization failed in several dogs, limiting blood gas analysis to a subset of the population.
- Authors recommend further studies focused on BOAS patients and exploring longer-duration CPAP use to assess impact on critical outcomes like tracheostomy rates or hospitalization.
