Neural feedback is effective in preterm infants during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, when using clinically relevant settings

Case Report: Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist as an effective rescue treatment for pulmonary interstitial emphysema in extremely low birth weight infants

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is a complication observed in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants on mechanical ventilation. Despite various proposed therapeutic interventions, the success rates have shown inconsistency. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) stands out as a novel respiratory support mode, offering lower pressure and tidal volume in comparison to conventional ventilation methods. In this case report, we present five ELBW infants with refractory PIE who were transitioned to NAVA ventilation. Following the switch to NAVA, all cases of PIE gradually resolved. In contrast to traditional modes, NAVA provided respiratory support with significantly lower fraction of inspired oxygen, reduced peak inspiratory pressure, diminished mean airway pressure, and decreased tidal volume within 7 days of NAVA utilization (p = 0.042, 0.043, 0.043, and 0.042, respectively). Consequently, we propose that NAVA could serve as a valuable rescue treatment for ELBW infants with PIE.

Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in infants: A review article

Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) and non-invasive (NIV)-NAVA are innovative modes of synchronized and proportional respiratory support. They can synchronize with the patients' breathing and promote patient comfort. Both techniques are increasingly being used these years, however experience with their use in newborns and premature infants in Taiwan is relatively few. Because increasing evidence supports the use of NAVA and NIV-NAVA in newborns and premature infants requiring respiratory assist to achieve better synchrony, the aim of this article is to discuss whether NAVA can provide better synchronization and comfort for ventilated newborns and premature babies. In a review of recent literature, we found that NAVA and NIV-NAVA appear to be superior to conventional invasive and non-invasive ventilation. Nevertheless, some of the benefits are controversial. For example, treatment failure in premature infants is common due to insufficient triggering of electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) and frequent apnea, highlighting the differences between premature infants and adults in settings and titration. Further, we suggest how to adjust the settings of NAVA and NIV-NAVA in premature infants to reduce clinical adverse events and extubation failure. In addition to assist in the use of NAVA, EAdi can also serve as a continuous and real-time monitor of vital signs, assisting physicians in the administration of sedatives, evaluation of successful extubation, and as a reference for the patient's respiratory condition during special procedures.

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist in Newborns

Patient-ventilator asynchrony is very common in newborns. Achieving synchrony is quite challenging because of small tidal volumes, high respiratory rates, and the presence of leaks. Leaks also cause unreliable monitoring of respiratory metrics. In addition, ventilator adjustment must take into account that infants have strong vagal reflexes and demonstrate central apnea and periodic breathing, with a high variability in breathing pattern. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is a mode of ventilation whereby the timing and amount of ventilatory assist is controlled by the patient's own neural respiratory drive. As NAVA uses the diaphragm electrical activity (Edi) as the controller signal, it is possible to deliver synchronized assist, both invasively and noninvasively (NIV-NAVA), to follow the variability in breathing pattern, and to monitor patient respiratory drive, independent of leaks. This article provides an updated review of the physiology and the scientific literature pertaining to the use of NAVA in children (neonatal and pediatric age groups). Both the invasive NAVA and NIV-NAVA publications since 2016 are summarized, as well as the use of Edi monitoring. Overall, the use of NAVA and Edi monitoring is feasible and safe. Compared with conventional ventilation, NAVA improves patient-ventilator interaction, provides lower peak inspiratory pressure, and lowers oxygen requirements. Evidence from several studies suggests improved comfort, less sedation requirements, less apnea, and some trends toward reduced length of stay and more successful extubation.