Abstract
Background Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) has distinct advantages when used invasively
compared with conventional ventilation techniques. Evidence supporting the use of
noninvasive NAVA is less robust, especially in the very low birth weight (VLBW) population.
Objective To determine whether synchronized noninvasive ventilation via neurally adjusted ventilatory
assist (NIV NAVA) supports ventilation postextubation in premature infants.
Methods A retrospective analysis of a cohort of twenty-four former VLBW (<1.5 kg) infants
from July 2011 to October 2012. Decreased or unchanged capillary pCO2 after increasing NAVA support was used as a marker for adequately supported noninvasive
ventilation. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre- and post-NAVA
intervention (α = 0.05).
Results Ventilation improved after an increase in NIV NAVA level in 83% of the premature
infants studied (20/24) with a decrease in median pCO2 by 5 mm Hg (p = 0.0001).
Conclusion NIV NAVA can provide synchronized postextubation ventilatory support as measured
by decreased pCO2 in premature infants.
Keywords
neurally adjusted ventilatory assist - noninvasive ventilation - very low birth weight