Optimal strategies for newborn ventilation--a synthesis of the evidence

Optimal Conventional Mechanical Ventilation in Full-Term Newborns: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Most studies examining the best mechanical ventilation strategies in newborn infants have been performed in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

PURPOSE

To identify and synthesize the evidence regarding optimal mechanical ventilation strategies in full-term newborns.

METHODS

Systematic review carried out according to the methods described in the PRISMA statement.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library in March 2017, with an updated search and hand searches of reference lists of relevant articles in August 2017.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were included if they were published between 1996 and 2017, involved newborns with gestational age of 37 to 42 weeks, were randomized controlled trials, intervention or crossover studies, and addressed outcomes affecting oxygenation and/or ventilation, and/or short-term outcomes including duration of mechanical ventilation. Because of the large heterogeneity between the studies, it was not possible to synthesize the results in meta-analyses. The results are presented according to thematic analysis.

RESULTS

No individual study reported research exclusively in newborns 37 to 42 weeks of gestation. Eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, but the population in all these studies included both premature and term newborns. Evidence about mechanical ventilation tailored exclusively to full-term newborns is scarce.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with a 6 mL/kg tidal volume and a positive end-expiratory pressure of 8 cm H2O may be advantageous in full-term newborns.

IMPLICATION FOR RESEARCH

There is an urgent need for high-quality studies, preferably randomized controlled trials, in full-term newborns requiring mechanical ventilation to optimize oxygenation, ventilation, and short-term outcomes, potentially stratified according to the underlying pathology.

Comparison of Two Levels of Pressure Support Ventilation on Success of Extubation in Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background:

Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) is one of the modes of mechanical ventilation that can be used alone as a weaning strategy in neonates. However, studies on the appropriate pressure level for this mode in neonates are limited.

Objectives:

Because the use of adequate pressure support in this mode, keeping the appropriate neonate’s tidal volume, and preventing the respiratory complications, this study was aimed to compare extubation failure in the two levels of pressure support ventilation of 10 and 14 cmH2O when removing the neonates from the ventilator.

Materials & Methods:

In this randomized clinical trial 50 premature infants of 27-37 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were under mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours, were randomly assigned to two groups. One group was extubated in PSV mode with pressure of 14 cmH₂O and the other with 10 cmH₂O. Extubation failure rate and complications such as pneumothorax, death and respiratory parameters were compared in the two groups.

Results:

Twenty five neonates in each group were assessed. Weaning time, extubation failure rate, and mean airway pressure was lesser in PSV of 10 cmH20 group than Level of 14 cmH2O and those differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Difference between work of breathing, ventilation time, pneumothorax and mortality rate between two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Conclusion:

The results of our study show that extubation of the neonates using 10 CmH₂O in PSV mode increases the success rate of extubation. Although when Volume- assured PSV can be used, it is more logical to use it for guaranteeing tidal volume, but using the appropriate level of pressure support when the PSV mode is used alone is inevitable and further studies are necessary to demonstrate the level of pressure in this mode.

Acute Neonatal Respiratory Failure

Acute respiratory failure requiring assisted ventilation is one of the most common reasons for admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Respiratory failure is the inability to maintain either normal delivery of oxygen to the tissues or normal removal of carbon dioxide from the tissues. It occurs when there is an imbalance between the respiratory workload and ventilatory strength and endurance. Definitions are somewhat arbitrary but suggested laboratory criteria for respiratory failure include two or more of the following: PaCO₂ > 60 mmHg, PaO₂ < 50 mmHg or O₂ saturation <80 % with an FiO₂ of 1.0 and pH < 7.25 (Wen et al. 2004).

Mechanical ventilation in the newborn; a simplified approach. Part 1: Intermittent positive pressure ventilation

Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is a frequent intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit. This article is directed towards paediatricians in training and attempts to cover the basics of PPV without being too technical. To do so we have employed an extensive use of graphics to illustrate the underlying principles.

Improved synchrony and respiratory unloading by neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) in lung-injured rabbits

With increasing pressure support ventilation (PSV), a form of pneumatically triggered ventilation, there can be an increase in wasted inspiratory efforts (neural inspiratory efforts that fail to trigger the ventilator). With neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA), a mode of ventilation controlled by the electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi), synchrony should be maintained at high levels of assist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to increasing levels of PSV and NAVA on synchrony and diaphragm unloading in lung-injured rabbits. Animals were ventilated on PSV or NAVA in random order, each at three levels. We measured neural and ventilator respiratory rates, EAdi, transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), and tidal volume (VT). At low PSV, 95% of neural efforts were triggered, compared with high PSV, where only 66% of the neural efforts were triggered. During NAVA, all neural efforts were triggered, regardless of level. Increasing NAVA levels reduced EAdi and Pdi-time products by 48% (p < 0.05) and 66% (p < 0.05). In contrast, increasing PSV did not reduce the diaphragm electrical activity-time product and increased the transdiaphragmatic pressure-time product (p < 0.05) due to the increased wasted efforts. We conclude that synchrony with the ventilator is an important determinant for diaphragm unloading.