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We found that under our test conditions two of the three ventilators delivered adequate tidal volumes at the usual frequency of 15 Hz, regardless of the size of the endotracheal tube and of the mechanical properties of the respiratory system. When lung compliance increased or mean airway pressure decreased, both of which are common events during the recovery phase of hyaline membrane disease, we found that the intrinsic properties of two of the ventilators tested were responsible for a decrease in tidal volume. This decrease may account for some cases of heretofore unexplained hypercapnia.

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