Assisted Ventilation in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Clinical risk factors for increased respiratory drive in intubated hypoxemic patients

BACKGROUND

There is very limited evidence identifying factors that increase respiratory drive in hypoxemic intubated patients. Most physiological determinants of respiratory drive cannot be directly assessed at the bedside (e.g., neural inputs from chemo- or mechano-receptors), but clinical risk factors commonly measured in intubated patients could be correlated with increased drive. We aimed to identify clinical risk factors independently associated with increased respiratory drive in intubated hypoxemic patients.

METHODS

We analyzed the physiological dataset from a multicenter trial on intubated hypoxemic patients on pressure support (PS). Patients with simultaneous assessment of the inspiratory drop in airway pressure at 0.1-s during an occlusion (P0.1) and risk factors for increased respiratory drive on day 1 were included. We evaluated the independent correlation of the following clinical risk factors for increased drive with P0.1: severity of lung injury (unilateral vs. bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, PaO2/FiO2, ventilatory ratio); arterial blood gases (PaO2, PaCO2 and pHa); sedation (RASS score and drug type); SOFA score; arterial lactate; ventilation settings (PEEP, level of PS, addition of sigh breaths).

RESULTS

Two-hundred seventeen patients were included. Clinical risk factors independently correlated with higher P0.1 were bilateral infiltrates (increase ratio [IR] 1.233, 95%CI 1.047-1.451, p = 0.012); lower PaO2/FiO2 (IR 0.998, 95%CI 0.997-0.999, p = 0.004); higher ventilatory ratio (IR 1.538, 95%CI 1.267-1.867, p < 0.001); lower pHa (IR 0.104, 95%CI 0.024-0.464, p = 0.003). Higher PEEP was correlated with lower P0.1 (IR 0.951, 95%CI 0.921-0.982, p = 0.002), while sedation depth and drugs were not associated with P0.1.

CONCLUSIONS

Independent clinical risk factors for higher respiratory drive in intubated hypoxemic patients include the extent of lung edema and of ventilation-perfusion mismatch, lower pHa, and lower PEEP, while sedation strategy does not affect drive. These data underline the multifactorial nature of increased respiratory drive.

Closed-loop ventilation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The last 25 years have seen considerable development in modes of closed-loop ventilation and there are now several of them commercially available. They not only offer potential benefits for the individual patient, but may also improve the organization within the intensive care unit (ICU). Clinicians are showing both greater interest and willingness to address the issues of a caregiver shortage and overload of bedside work in the ICU. This article reviews the clinical benefits of using closed-loop ventilation modes, with a focus on control of oxygenation, lung protection, and weaning.

RECENT FINDINGS

Closed-loop ventilation modes are able to maintain important physiological variables, such as oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry, tidal volume (VT), driving pressure (ΔP), and mechanical power (MP), within target ranges aimed at ensuring continuous lung protection. In addition, these modes adapt the ventilator support to the patient's needs, promoting diaphragm activity and preventing over-assistance. Some studies have shown the potential of these modes to reduce the duration of both weaning and mechanical ventilation.

SUMMARY

Recent studies have primarily demonstrated the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of using closed-loop ventilation modes in the ICU and postsurgery patients. Large, multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to assess their impact on important short- and long-term clinical outcomes, the organization of the ICU, and cost-effectiveness.

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist in Acute Respiratory Failure-A Narrative Review

Maintaining spontaneous breathing has both potentially beneficial and deleterious consequences in patients with acute respiratory failure, depending on the balance that can be obtained between the protecting and damaging effects on the lungs and the diaphragm. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is an assist mode, which supplies the respiratory system with a pressure proportional to the integral of the electrical activity of the diaphragm. This proportional mode of ventilation has the theoretical potential to deliver lung- and respiratory-muscle-protective ventilation by preserving the physiologic defense mechanisms against both lung overdistention and ventilator overassistance, as well as reducing the incidence of diaphragm disuse atrophy while maintaining patient–ventilator synchrony. This narrative review presents an overview of NAVA technology, its basic principles, the different methods to set the assist level and the findings of experimental and clinical studies which focused on lung and diaphragm protection, machine–patient interaction and preservation of breathing pattern variability. A summary of the findings of the available clinical trials which investigate the use of NAVA in acute respiratory failure will also be presented and discussed.

Patient-ventilator asynchrony, impact on clinical outcomes and effectiveness of interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Patient–ventilator asynchrony (PVA) is a common problem in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) in the intensive care unit (ICU), and may accelerate lung injury and diaphragm mis-contraction. The impact of PVA on clinical outcomes has not been systematically evaluated. Effective interventions (except for closed-loop ventilation) for reducing PVA are not well established.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of PVA on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing MV (Part A) and the effectiveness of interventions for patients undergoing MV except for closed-loop ventilation (Part B). We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO-ICTRP until August 2020. In Part A, we defined asynchrony index (AI) ≥ 10 or ineffective triggering index (ITI) ≥ 10 as high PVA. We compared patients having high PVA with those having low PVA.

Results

Eight studies in Part A and eight trials in Part B fulfilled the eligibility criteria. In Part A, five studies were related to the AI and three studies were related to the ITI. High PVA may be associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation (mean difference, 5.16 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.38 to 7.94; n = 8; certainty of evidence [CoE], low), higher ICU mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.73; 95% CI 1.76 to 4.24; n = 6; CoE, low), and higher hospital mortality (OR, 1.94; 95% CI 1.14 to 3.30; n = 5; CoE, low). In Part B, interventions involving MV mode, tidal volume, and pressure-support level were associated with reduced PVA. Sedation protocol, sedation depth, and sedation with dexmedetomidine rather than propofol were also associated with reduced PVA.

Conclusions

PVA may be associated with longer MV duration, higher ICU mortality, and higher hospital mortality. Physicians may consider monitoring PVA and adjusting ventilator settings and sedatives to reduce PVA. Further studies with adjustment for confounding factors are warranted to determine the impact of PVA on clinical outcomes.

Trial registration protocols.io (URL: https://www.protocols.io/view/the-impact-of-patient-ventilator-asynchrony-in-adu-bsqtndwn, 08/27/2020).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40560-021-00565-5.

Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist as a weaning mode for adults with invasive mechanical ventilation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Prolonged ventilatory support is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Partial support modes, especially pressure support ventilation, are frequently used in clinical practice but are associated with patient–ventilation asynchrony and deliver fixed levels of assist. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA), a mode of partial ventilatory assist that reduces patient–ventilator asynchrony, may be an alternative for weaning. However, the effects of NAVA on weaning outcomes in clinical practice are unclear.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library from 2007 to December 2020. Randomized controlled trials and crossover trials that compared NAVA and other modes were identified in this study. The primary outcome was weaning success which was defined as the absence of ventilatory support for more than 48 h. Summary estimates of effect using odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with accompanying 95% confidence interval (CI) were expressed.

Results

Seven studies (n = 693 patients) were included. Regarding the primary outcome, patients weaned with NAVA had a higher success rate compared with other partial support modes (OR = 1.93; 95% CI 1.12 to 3.32; P = 0.02). For the secondary outcomes, NAVA may reduce duration of mechanical ventilation (MD = − 2.63; 95% CI − 4.22 to − 1.03; P = 0.001) and hospital mortality (OR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.84; P = 0.004) and prolongs ventilator-free days (MD = 3.48; 95% CI 0.97 to 6.00; P = 0.007) when compared with other modes.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the NAVA mode may improve the rate of weaning success compared with other partial support modes for difficult to wean patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13054-021-03644-z.

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist versus Pressure Support Ventilation in Difficult Weaning: A Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Difficult weaning frequently develops in ventilated patients and is associated with poor outcome. In neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, the ventilator is controlled by diaphragm electrical activity, which has been shown to improve patient-ventilator interaction. The objective of this study was to compare neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and pressure support ventilation in patients difficult to wean from mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

In this nonblinded randomized clinical trial, difficult-to-wean patients (n = 99) were randomly assigned to neurally adjusted ventilatory assist or pressure support ventilation mode. The primary outcome was the duration of weaning. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of successful weaning, patient-ventilator asynchrony, ventilator-free days, and mortality. Weaning duration was calculated as 28 days for patients under mechanical ventilation at day 28 or deceased before day 28 without successful weaning.

RESULTS

Weaning duration in all patients was statistically significant shorter in the neurally adjusted ventilatory assist group (n = 47) compared with the pressure support ventilation group (n = 52; 3.0 [1.2 to 8.0] days vs. 7.4 [2.0 to 28.0], mean difference: -5.5 [95% CI, -9.2 to -1.4], P = 0.039). Post hoc sensitivity analysis also showed that the neurally adjusted ventilatory assist group had shorter weaning duration (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.98). The proportion of patients with successful weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation was higher in neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (33 of 47 patients, 70%) compared with pressure support ventilation (25 of 52 patients, 48%; respiratory rate for neurally adjusted ventilatory assist: 1.46 [95% CI, 1.04 to 2.05], P = 0.026). The number of ventilator-free days at days 14 and 28 was statistically significantly higher in neurally adjusted ventilatory assist compared with pressure support ventilation. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist improved patient ventilator interaction. Mortality and length of stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital were similar among groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients difficult to wean, neurally adjusted ventilatory assist decreased the duration of weaning and increased ventilator-free days.

Proportional modes of ventilation: technology to assist physiology

Proportional modes of ventilation assist the patient by adapting to his/her effort, which contrasts with all other modes. The two proportional modes are referred to as neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) and proportional assist ventilation with load-adjustable gain factors (PAV+): they deliver inspiratory assist in proportion to the patient’s effort, and hence directly respond to changes in ventilatory needs. Due to their working principles, NAVA and PAV+ have the ability to provide self-adjusted lung and diaphragm-protective ventilation. As these proportional modes differ from ‘classical’ modes such as pressure support ventilation (PSV), setting the inspiratory assist level is often puzzling for clinicians at the bedside as it is not based on usual parameters such as tidal volumes and PaCO₂ targets. This paper provides an in-depth overview of the working principles of NAVA and PAV+ and the physiological differences with PSV. Understanding these differences is fundamental for applying any assisted mode at the bedside. We review different methods for setting inspiratory assist during NAVA and PAV+ , and (future) indices for monitoring of patient effort. Last, differences with automated modes are mentioned.

Recruitment pattern of the diaphragm and extradiaphragmatic inspiratory muscles in response to different levels of pressure support

Background

Inappropriate ventilator assist plays an important role in the development of diaphragm dysfunction. Ventilator under-assist may lead to muscle injury, while over-assist may result in muscle atrophy. This provides a good rationale to monitor respiratory drive in ventilated patients. Respiratory drive can be monitored by a nasogastric catheter, either with esophageal balloon to determine muscular pressure (gold standard) or with electrodes to measure electrical activity of the diaphragm. A disadvantage is that both techniques are invasive. Therefore, it is interesting to investigate the role of surrogate markers for respiratory dive, such as extradiaphragmatic inspiratory muscle activity. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of different inspiratory support levels on the recruitment pattern of extradiaphragmatic inspiratory muscles with respect to the diaphragm and to evaluate agreement between activity of extradiaphragmatic inspiratory muscles and the diaphragm.

Methods

Activity from the alae nasi, genioglossus, scalene, sternocleidomastoid and parasternal intercostals was recorded using surface electrodes. Electrical activity of the diaphragm was measured using a multi-electrode nasogastric catheter. Pressure support (PS) levels were reduced from 15 to 3 cmH₂O every 5 min with steps of 3 cmH₂O. The magnitude and timing of respiratory muscle activity were assessed.

Results

We included 17 ventilated patients. Diaphragm and extradiaphragmatic inspiratory muscle activity increased in response to lower PS levels (36 ± 6% increase for the diaphragm, 30 ± 6% parasternal intercostals, 41 ± 6% scalene, 40 ± 8% sternocleidomastoid, 43 ± 6% alae nasi and 30 ± 6% genioglossus). Changes in diaphragm activity correlated best with changes in alae nasi activity (r² = 0.49; P < 0.001), while there was no correlation between diaphragm and sternocleidomastoid activity. The agreement between diaphragm and extradiaphragmatic inspiratory muscle activity was low due to a high individual variability. Onset of alae nasi activity preceded the onset of all other muscles.

Conclusions

Extradiaphragmatic inspiratory muscle activity increases in response to lower inspiratory support levels. However, there is a poor correlation and agreement with the change in diaphragm activity, limiting the use of surface electromyography (EMG) recordings of extradiaphragmatic inspiratory muscles as a surrogate for electrical activity of the diaphragm.

Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist versus pressure support ventilation: a randomized controlled feasibility trial performed in patients at risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation

BACKGROUND

The clinical effectiveness of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) has yet to be demonstrated, and preliminary studies are required. The study aim was to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of NAVA versus pressure support ventilation (PSV) in critically ill adults at risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV).

METHODS

An open-label, parallel, feasibility RCT (n = 78) in four ICUs of one university-affiliated hospital. The primary outcome was mode adherence (percentage of time adherent to assigned mode), and protocol compliance (binary-≥ 65% mode adherence). Secondary exploratory outcomes included ventilator-free days (VFDs), sedation, and mortality.

RESULTS

In the 72 participants who commenced weaning, median (95% CI) mode adherence was 83.1% (64.0-97.1%) and 100% (100-100%), and protocol compliance was 66.7% (50.3-80.0%) and 100% (89.0-100.0%) in the NAVA and PSV groups respectively. Secondary outcomes indicated more VFDs to D28 (median difference 3.0 days, 95% CI 0.0-11.0; p = 0.04) and fewer in-hospital deaths (relative risk 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9; p = 0.032) for NAVA. Although overall sedation was similar, Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) scores were closer to zero in NAVA compared to PSV (p = 0.020). No significant differences were observed in duration of MV, ICU or hospital stay, or ICU, D28, and D90 mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

This feasibility trial demonstrated good adherence to assigned ventilation mode and the ability to meet a priori protocol compliance criteria. Exploratory outcomes suggest some clinical benefit for NAVA compared to PSV. Clinical effectiveness trials of NAVA are potentially feasible and warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01826890. Registered 9 April 2013.

Effect of Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist on Patient-Ventilator Interaction in Mechanically Ventilated Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Patient-ventilator asynchrony is common among critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and has been associated with adverse outcomes. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist is a ventilatory mode that may lead to improved patient-ventilator synchrony. We conducted a systematic review to determine the impact of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist on patient-ventilator asynchrony, other physiologic variables, and clinical outcomes in adult patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation in comparison with conventional pneumatically triggered ventilatory modes.

DATA SOURCES

We searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, conference abstracts, and ClinicalTrials.gov until July 2018.

STUDY SELECTION

Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts for randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials (including crossover design) comparing the occurrence of patient-ventilator asynchrony between neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and pressure support ventilation during mechanical ventilation in critically ill adults. The asynchrony index and severe asynchrony (i.e., asynchrony index > 10%) were the primary outcomes.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently extracted study characteristics and outcomes and assessed risk of bias of included studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Of 11,139 unique citations, 26 studies (522 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen trials were included in the meta-analysis using random effects models through the generic inverse variance method. In several different clinical scenarios, the use of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist was associated with significantly reduced asynchrony index (mean difference, -8.12; 95% CI, -11.61 to -4.63; very low quality of evidence) and severe asynchrony (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.76; moderate quality of evidence) as compared with pressure support ventilation. Furthermore, other measurements of asynchrony were consistently improved during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist improves patient-ventilator synchrony; however, its effects on clinical outcomes remain uncertain. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether the physiologic efficiency of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist affects patient-important outcomes in critically ill adults.

Physiology of the Respiratory Drive in ICU Patients: Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2020. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2020. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901.

Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist vs. pressure support to deliver protective mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a randomized crossover trial

Background

Protective mechanical ventilation is recommended for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but it usually requires controlled ventilation and sedation. Using neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) or pressure support ventilation (PSV) could have additional benefits, including the use of lower sedative doses, improved patient–ventilator interaction and shortened duration of mechanical ventilation. We designed a pilot study to assess the feasibility of keeping tidal volume (V_T) at protective levels with NAVA and PSV in patients with ARDS.

Methods

We conducted a prospective randomized crossover trial in five ICUs from a university hospital in Brazil and included patients with ARDS transitioning from controlled ventilation to partial ventilatory support. NAVA and PSV were applied in random order, for 15 min each, followed by 3 h in NAVA. Flow, peak airway pressure (Paw) and electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) were captured from the ventilator, and a software (Matlab, Mathworks, USA), automatically detected inspiratory efforts and calculated respiratory rate (RR) and V_T. Asynchrony events detection was based on waveform analysis.

Results

We randomized 20 patients, but the protocol was interrupted for five (25%) patients for whom we were unable to maintain V_T below 6.5 mL/kg in PSV due to strong inspiratory efforts and for one patient for whom we could not detect EAdi signal. For the 14 patients who completed the protocol, V_T was 5.8 ± 1.1 mL/kg for NAVA and 5.6 ± 1.0 mL/kg for PSV (p = 0.455) and there were no differences in RR (24 ± 7 for NAVA and 23 ± 7 for PSV, p = 0.661). Paw was greater in NAVA (21 ± 3 cmH₂O) than in PSV (19 ± 3 cmH₂O, p = 0.001). Most patients were under continuous sedation during the study. NAVA reduced triggering delay compared to PSV (p = 0.020) and the median asynchrony Index was 0.7% (0–2.7) in PSV and 0% (0–2.2) in NAVA (p = 0.6835).

Conclusions

It was feasible to keep V_T in protective levels with NAVA and PSV for 75% of the patients. NAVA resulted in similar V_T, RR and Paw compared to PSV. Our findings suggest that partial ventilatory assistance with NAVA and PSV is feasible as a protective ventilation strategy in selected ARDS patients under continuous sedation.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01519258). Registered 26 January 2012, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01519258

Effects of levosimendan on respiratory muscle function in patients weaning from mechanical ventilation

PURPOSE

Respiratory muscle weakness frequently develops in critically ill patients and is associated with adverse outcome, including difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation. Today, no drug is approved to improve respiratory muscle function in these patients. Previously, we have shown that the calcium sensitizer levosimendan improves calcium sensitivity of human diaphragm muscle fibers in vitro and contractile efficiency of the diaphragm in healthy subjects. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of levosimendan on diaphragm contractile efficiency in mechanically ventilated patients.

METHODS

In a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, mechanically ventilated patients performed two 30-min continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trials with 5-h interval. After the first CPAP trial, study medication (levosimendan 0.2 µg/kg/min continuous infusion or placebo) was administered. During the CPAP trials, electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi), transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), and flow were measured. Neuromechanical efficiency (primary outcome parameter) was calculated.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients were included in the study. Neuromechanical efficiency was not different during the CPAP trial after levosimendan administration compared to the CPAP trial before study medication. Tidal volume and minute ventilation were higher after levosimendan administration (11 and 21%, respectively), whereas EAdi and Pdi were higher in both groups in the CPAP trial after study medication compared to the CPAP trial before study medication.

CONCLUSIONS

Levosimendan does not improve diaphragm contractile efficiency.

ERS statement on respiratory muscle testing at rest and during exercise

Assessing respiratory mechanics and muscle function is critical for both clinical practice and research purposes. Several methodological developments over the past two decades have enhanced our understanding of respiratory muscle function and responses to interventions across the spectrum of health and disease. They are especially useful in diagnosing, phenotyping and assessing treatment efficacy in patients with respiratory symptoms and neuromuscular diseases. Considerable research has been undertaken over the past 17 years, since the publication of the previous American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) statement on respiratory muscle testing in 2002. Key advances have been made in the field of mechanics of breathing, respiratory muscle neurophysiology (electromyography, electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation) and on respiratory muscle imaging (ultrasound, optoelectronic plethysmography and structured light plethysmography). Accordingly, this ERS task force reviewed the field of respiratory muscle testing in health and disease, with particular reference to data obtained since the previous ATS/ERS statement. It summarises the most recent scientific and methodological developments regarding respiratory mechanics and respiratory muscle assessment by addressing the validity, precision, reproducibility, prognostic value and responsiveness to interventions of various methods. A particular emphasis is placed on assessment during exercise, which is a useful condition to stress the respiratory system.

Patient-ventilator asynchrony in adult critically ill patients

INTRODUCTION

Patient-ventilator asynchrony is considered a major clinical problem for mechanically ventilated patients. It occurs during partial ventilatory support, when the respiratory muscles and the ventilator interact to contribute generating the volume output. In this review article, we consider all studies published on patient-ventilator asynchrony in the last 25 years.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We selected 62 studies. The different forms of asynchrony are first defined and classified. We also describe the methods used for detecting and quantifying asynchronies. We then outline the outcome variables considered for evaluating the clinical consequences of asynchronies. The methodology for detection and quantification of patient-ventilator asynchrony are quite heterogeneous. In particular, the Asynchrony Index is calculated differently among studies.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Sixteen studies established some relationship between asynchronies and one or more clinical outcomes, such as duration of mechanical ventilation (seven studies), mortality (five studies), length of intensive care and hospital stay (four studies), patient comfort (four studies), quality of sleep (three studies), and rate of tracheotomy (three studies). In patients with severe patient-ventilator asynchrony, four of seven studies (57%) report prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation, one of five (20%) increased mortality, one of four (25%) longer intensive care and hospital lengths of stay, four of four (100%) worsened comfort, three of four (75%) deteriorated quality of sleep, and one of three (33%) increased rate of tracheotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the varying outcomes considered and the erratic results, it remains unclear whether asynchronies really affects patient outcome, and the relationship between asynchronies and outcome is causative or associative.

Contemporary ventilatory strategies for surgical patients

Respiratory failure affects a significant percentage of critically ill children, necessitating both invasive and non-invasive respiratory support. As the outcomes of these patients have improved, children with higher acuity and more complex respiratory pathophysiology require mechanical ventilation. Despite growing understanding of lung-protective strategies and ventilation induced lung injury, certain patients still require harmful ventilatory settings with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). High frequency ventilation, neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, and airway pressure release ventilation offer feasible alternatives to CMV. In addition to minimizing the risk of ventilatory induced lung injury when used appropriately, they provide a unique environment to facilitate operations on certain neonates and older children. Finally, non-invasive ventilation is now commonly employed in children with surgical conditions.

Proportional modes versus pressure support ventilation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Proportional modes (proportional assist ventilation, PAV, and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, NAVA) could improve patient–ventilator interaction and consequently may be efficient as a weaning mode. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine whether proportional modes improved patient–ventilator interaction and whether they had an impact on the weaning success and length of mechanical ventilation, in comparison with PSV.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through May 13, 2018. We included both parallel-group and crossover randomized studies that examined the efficacy of proportional modes in comparison with PSV in mechanically ventilated adults. The primary outcomes were (1) asynchrony index (AI), (2) weaning failure, and (3) duration of mechanical ventilation.

Results

We included 15 studies (four evaluated PAV, ten evaluated NAVA, and one evaluated both modes). Although the use of proportional modes was not associated with a reduction in AI (WMD − 1.43; 95% CI − 3.11 to 0.25; p = 0.096; PAV—one study, and NAVA—seven studies), the use of proportional modes was associated with a reduction in patients with AI > 10% (RR 0.15; 95% CI 0.04–0.58; p = 0.006; PAV—two studies, and NAVA—five studies), compared with PSV. There was a significant heterogeneity among studies for AI, especially with NAVA. Compared with PSV, use of proportional modes was associated with a reduction in weaning failure (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.26–0.75; p = 0.003; PAV—three studies) and duration of mechanical ventilation (WMD − 1.78 days; 95% CI − 3.24 to − 0.32; p = 0.017; PAV—three studies, and NAVA—two studies). Reduced duration of mechanical ventilation was found with PAV but not with NAVA.

Conclusion

The use of proportional modes was associated with a reduction in the incidence with AI > 10%, weaning failure and duration of mechanical ventilation, compared with PSV. However, reduced weaning failure and duration of mechanical ventilation were found with only PAV. Due to a significant heterogeneity among studies and an insufficient number of studies, further investigation seems warranted to better understand the impact of proportional modes.

Clinical trial registration PROSPERO registration number, CRD42017059791. Registered 20 March 2017

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13613-018-0470-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Assessing breathing effort in mechanical ventilation: physiology and clinical implications

Recent studies have shown both beneficial and detrimental effects of patient breathing effort in mechanical ventilation. Quantification of breathing effort may allow the clinician to titrate ventilator support to physiological levels of respiratory muscle activity. In this review we will describe the physiological background and methodological issues of the most frequently used methods to quantify breathing effort, including esophageal pressure measurement, the work of breathing, the pressure-time-product, electromyography and ultrasound. We will also discuss the level of breathing effort that may be considered optimal during mechanical ventilation at different stages of critical illness.

Respiratory Muscle Effort during Expiration in Successful and Failed Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Background

Respiratory muscle weakness in critically ill patients is associated with difficulty in weaning from mechanical ventilation. Previous studies have mainly focused on inspiratory muscle activity during weaning; expiratory muscle activity is less well understood. The current study describes expiratory muscle activity during weaning, including tonic diaphragm activity. The authors hypothesized that expiratory muscle effort is greater in patients who fail to wean compared to those who wean successfully.

Methods

Twenty adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation (more than 72 h) performed a spontaneous breathing trial. Tidal volume, transdiaphragmatic pressure, diaphragm electrical activity, and diaphragm neuromechanical efficiency were calculated on a breath-by-breath basis. Inspiratory (and expiratory) muscle efforts were calculated as the inspiratory esophageal (and expiratory gastric) pressure–time products, respectively.

Results

Nine patients failed weaning. The contribution of the expiratory muscles to total respiratory muscle effort increased in the “failure” group from 13 ± 9% at onset to 24 ± 10% at the end of the breathing trial (P = 0.047); there was no increase in the “success” group. Diaphragm electrical activity (expressed as the percentage of inspiratory peak) was low at end expiration (failure, 3 ± 2%; success, 4 ± 6%) and equal between groups during the entire expiratory phase (P = 0.407). Diaphragm neuromechanical efficiency was lower in the failure versus success groups (0.38 ± 0.16 vs. 0.71 ± 0.36 cm H2O/μV; P = 0.054).

Conclusions

Weaning failure (vs. success) is associated with increased effort of the expiratory muscles and impaired neuromechanical efficiency of the diaphragm but no difference in tonic activity of the diaphragm.

Neural Breathing Pattern and Patient-Ventilator Interaction During Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist and Conventional Ventilation in Newborns

OBJECTIVE

To compare neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and conventional ventilation on patient-ventilator interaction and neural breathing patterns, with a focus on central apnea in preterm infants.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational cross-over study of intubated and ventilated newborns. Data were collected while infants were successively ventilated with three different ventilator conditions (30 min each period): 1) synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) combined with pressure support at the clinically prescribed, SIMV with baseline settings (SIMVBL), 2) neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, 3) same as SIMVBL, but with an adjustment of the inspiratory time of the mandatory breaths (SIMV with adjusted settings [SIMVADJ]) using feedback from the electrical activity of the diaphragm).

SETTING

Regional perinatal center neonatal ICU.

PATIENTS

Neonates admitted in the neonatal ICU requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-three infants were studied, with median (range) gestational age at birth 27 weeks (24-41 wk), birth weight 780 g (490-3,610 g), and 7 days old (1-87 d old). Patient ventilator asynchrony, as quantified by the NeuroSync index, was lower during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (18.3% ± 6.3%) compared with SIMVBL (46.5% ±11.7%; p < 0.05) and SIMVADJ (45.8% ± 9.4%; p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in neural breathing parameters, or vital signs, except for the end-expiratory electrical activity of the diaphragm, which was lower during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist. Central apnea, defined as a flat electrical activity of the diaphragm more than 5 seconds, was significantly reduced during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist compared with both SIMV periods. These results were comparable for term and preterm infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-ventilator interaction appears to be improved with neurally adjusted ventilatory assist. Analysis of the neural breathing pattern revealed a reduction in central apnea during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist use.

Patient-ventilator asynchrony during conventional mechanical ventilation in children

Background

We aimed (1) to describe the characteristics of patient–ventilator asynchrony in a population of critically ill children, (2) to describe the risk factors associated with patient–ventilator asynchrony, and (3) to evaluate the association between patient–ventilator asynchrony and ventilator-free days at day 28.

Methods

In this single-center prospective study, consecutive children admitted to the PICU and mechanically ventilated for at least 24 h were included. Patient–ventilator asynchrony was analyzed by comparing the ventilator pressure curve and the electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) signal with (1) a manual analysis and (2) using a standardized fully automated method.

Results

Fifty-two patients (median age 6 months) were included in the analysis. Eighteen patients had a very low ventilatory drive (i.e., peak Edi < 2 µV on average), which prevented the calculation of patient–ventilator asynchrony. Children spent 27% (interquartile 22–39%) of the time in conflict with the ventilator. Cycling-off errors and trigger delays contributed to most of this asynchronous time. The automatic algorithm provided a NeuroSync index of 45%, confirming the high prevalence of asynchrony. No association between the severity of asynchrony and ventilator-free days at day 28 or any other clinical secondary outcomes was observed, but the proportion of children with good synchrony was very low.

Conclusion

Patient–ventilator interaction is poor in children supported by conventional ventilation, with a high frequency of depressed ventilatory drive and a large proportion of time spent in asynchrony. The clinical benefit of strategies to improve patient–ventilator interactions should be evaluated in pediatric critical care.

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) or Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) during spontaneous breathing trials in critically ill patients: a crossover trial

Background

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) is a proportional ventilatory mode that uses the electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) to offer ventilatory assistance in proportion to patient effort. NAVA has been increasingly used for critically ill patients, but it has not been evaluated during spontaneous breathing trials (SBT). We designed a pilot trial to assess the feasibility of using NAVA during SBTs, and to compare the breathing pattern and patient-ventilator asynchrony of NAVA with Pressure Support (PSV) during SBTs.

Methods

We conducted a crossover trial in the ICU of a university hospital in Brazil and included mechanically ventilated patients considered ready to undergo an SBT on the day of the study. Patients underwent two SBTs in randomized order: 30 min in PSV of 5 cmH₂O or NAVA titrated to generate equivalent peak airway pressure (Paw), with a positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cmH₂O. The ICU team, blinded to ventilatory mode, evaluated whether patients passed each SBT. We captured flow, Paw and electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) from the ventilator and used it to calculate respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (VT), and EAdi. Detection of asynchrony events used waveform analysis and we calculated the asynchrony index as the number of asynchrony events divided by the number of neural cycles.

Results

We included 20 patients in the study. All patients passed the SBT in PSV, and three failed the SBT in NAVA. Five patients were reintubated and the extubation failure rate was 25% (95% CI 9–49%). Respiratory parameters were similar in the two modes: VT = 6.1 (5.5–6.5) mL/Kg in NAVA vs. 5.5 (4.8–6.1) mL/Kg in PSV (p = 0.076) and RR = 27 (17–30) rpm in NAVA vs. 26 (20–30) rpm in PSV, p = 0.55. NAVA reduced AI, with a median of 11.5% (4.2–19.7) compared to 24.3% (6.3–34.3) in PSV (p = 0.033).

Conclusions

NAVA reduces patient-ventilator asynchrony index and generates a respiratory pattern similar to PSV during SBTs. Patients considered ready for mechanical ventilation liberation may be submitted to an SBT in NAVA using the same objective criteria used for SBTs in PSV.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01337271), registered April 12, 2011.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12890-017-0484-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 and Serum Glucocorticoid-regulated Kinase 1 Are Critical Mediators of Lung Injury in Overventilated Mice In Vivo

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation can cause lung endothelial barrier failure and inflammation cumulating in ventilator-induced lung injury. Yet, underlying mechanotransduction mechanisms remain unclear. Here, the authors tested the hypothesis that activation of the mechanosensitive Ca channel transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV4) by serum glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK) 1 may drive the development of ventilator-induced lung injury.

METHODS

Mice (total n = 54) were ventilated for 2 h with low (7 ml/kg) or high (20 ml/kg) tidal volumes and assessed for signs of ventilator-induced lung injury. Isolated-perfused lungs were inflated with continuous positive airway pressures of 5 or 15 cm H2O (n = 7 each), and endothelial calcium concentration was quantified by real-time imaging.

RESULTS

Genetic deficiency or pharmacologic inhibition of TRPV4 or SGK1 protected mice from overventilation-induced vascular leakage (reduction in alveolar protein concentration from 0.84 ± 0.18 [mean ± SD] to 0.46 ± 0.16 mg/ml by TRPV4 antagonization), reduced lung inflammation (macrophage inflammatory protein 2 levels of 193 ± 163 in Trpv4 vs. 544 ± 358 pmol/ml in wild-type mice), and attenuated endothelial calcium responses to lung overdistension. Functional coupling of TRPV4 and SGK1 in lung endothelial mechanotransduction was confirmed by proximity ligation assay demonstrating enhanced TRPV4 phosphorylation at serine 824 at 18% as compared to 5% cyclic stretch, which was prevented by SGK1 inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung overventilation promotes endothelial calcium influx and barrier failure through a mechanism that involves activation of TRPV4, presumably due to phosphorylation at its serine 824 residue by SGK1. TRPV4 and SGK1 may present promising new targets for prevention or treatment of ventilator-induced lung injury.

Functional assessment of the diaphragm by speckle tracking ultrasound during inspiratory loading

Assessment of diaphragmatic effort is challenging, especially in critically ill patients in the phase of weaning. Fractional thickening during inspiration assessed by ultrasound has been used to estimate diaphragm effort. It is unknown whether more sophisticated ultrasound techniques such as speckle tracking are superior in the quantification of inspiratory effort. This study evaluates the validity of speckle tracking ultrasound to quantify diaphragm contractility. Thirteen healthy volunteers underwent a randomized stepwise threshold loading protocol of 0-50% of the maximal inspiratory pressure. Electric activity of the diaphragm and transdiaphragmatic pressures were recorded. Speckle tracking ultrasound was used to assess strain and strain rate as measures of diaphragm tissue deformation and deformation velocity, respectively. Fractional thickening was assessed by measurement of diaphragm thickness at end-inspiration and end-expiration. Strain and strain rate increased with progressive loading of the diaphragm. Both strain and strain rate were highly correlated to transdiaphragmatic pressure (strain r² = 0.72; strain rate r² = 0.80) and diaphragm electric activity (strain r² = 0.60; strain rate r² = 0.66). We conclude that speckle tracking ultrasound is superior to conventional ultrasound techniques to estimate diaphragm contractility under inspiratory threshold loading.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Transdiaphragmatic pressure using esophageal and gastric balloons is the gold standard to assess diaphragm effort. However, this technique is invasive and requires expertise, and the interpretation may be complex. We report that speckle tracking ultrasound can be used to detect stepwise increases in diaphragmatic effort. Strain and strain rate were highly correlated with transdiaphragmatic pressure, and therefore, diaphragm electric activity and speckle tracking might serve as reliable tools to quantify diaphragm effort in the future.

Novel insights in ICU-acquired respiratory muscle dysfunction: implications for clinical care

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency medicine 2017. Other selected articles can be found online at http://ccforum.com/series/annualupdate2017. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901.

Neural control of ventilation prevents both over-distension and de-recruitment of experimentally injured lungs

BACKGROUND

Endogenous pulmonary reflexes may protect the lungs during mechanical ventilation. We aimed to assess integration of continuous neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (cNAVA), delivering assist in proportion to diaphragm's electrical activity during inspiration and expiration, and Hering-Breuer inflation and deflation reflexes on lung recruitment, distension, and aeration before and after acute lung injury (ALI).

METHODS

In 7 anesthetised rabbits with bilateral pneumothoraces, we identified adequate cNAVA level (cNAVA_AL) at the plateau in peak ventilator pressure during titration procedures before (healthy lungs with endotracheal tube, [HL_ETT]) and after ALI (endotracheal tube [ALI_ETT] and during non-invasive ventilation [ALI_NIV]). Following titration, cNAVA_AL was maintained for 5min. In 2 rabbits, procedures were repeated after vagotomy (ALI_ETT+VAG). In 3 rabbits delivery of assist was temporarily modulated to provide assist on inspiration only. Computed tomography was performed before intubation, before ALI, during cNAVA titration, and after maintenance at cNAVA_AL.

RESULTS

During ALI_ETT and ALI_NIV, normally aerated lung-regions doubled and poorly aerated lung-regions decreased to less than a third (p<0.05) compared to HL_ETT; no over-distension was observed. Tidal volumes were<5ml/kg throughout. Removing assist during expiration resulted in lung de-recruitment during ALI_ETT, but not during ALI_NIV. During ALI_ETT+VAG the expiratory portion of EAdi disappeared, resulting in cyclic lung collapse and recruitment.

CONCLUSIONS

When using cNAVA in ALI, vagally mediated reflexes regulated lung recruitment preventing both lung over-distension and atelectasis. During non-invasive cNAVA the upper airway muscles play a role in preventing atelectasis. Future studies should be performed to compare these findings with conventional lung-protective approaches.

Physiological effects of invasive ventilation with neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) in a crossover study

Background

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) is a mode of assisted mechanical ventilation that delivers inspiratory pressure proportionally to the electrical activity of the diaphragm. To date, no pediatric study has focused on the effects of NAVA on hemodynamic parameters. This physiologic study with a randomized cross-over design compared hemodynamic parameters when NAVA or conventional ventilation (CV) was applied.

Methods

After a baseline period, infants received NAVA and CV in a randomized order during two consecutive 30-min periods. During the last 10 min of each period, respiratory and hemodynamic parameters were collected. No changes in PEEP, FiO₂, sedation or inotropic doses were allowed during these two periods. The challenge was to keep minute volumes constant, with no changes in blood CO₂ levels and in pH that may affect the results.

Results

Six infants who had undergone cardiac surgery (mean age 7.8 ± 4.1 months) were studied after parental consent. Four of them had low central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂ < 65 %). The ventilatory settings resulted in similar minute volumes (1.7 ± 0.4 vs. 1.6 ± 0.6 ml/kg, P = 0.67) and in similar tidal volumes respectively with NAVA and with CV. There were no statistically significant differences on blood pH levels between the two modes of ventilation (7.32 ± 0.02 vs. 7.32 ± 0.04, P = 0.34). Ventilation with NAVA delivered lower peak inspiratory pressures than with CV: -32.7 % (95 % CI: -48.2 to –17.1 %, P = 0.04). With regard to hemodynamics, systolic arterial pressures were higher using NAVA: +8.4 % (95 % CI: +3.3 to +13.6 %, P = 0.03). There were no statistically significant differences on cardiac index between the two modes of ventilation. However, all children with a low baseline ScvO₂ (<65 %) tended to increase their cardiac index with NAVA compared to CV: 2.03 ± 0.30 vs. 1.91 ± 0.39 L/min.m² (median ± interquartile, P = 0.07).

Conclusions

This pilot study raises the hypothesis that NAVA could have beneficial effects on hemodynamics in children when compared to a conventional ventilatory mode that delivered identical PEEP and similar minute volumes.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01490710. Date of registration: December 7, 2011.

Severe hypoxemia: which strategy to choose

BACKGROUND

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by a noncardiogenic pulmonary edema with bilateral chest X-ray opacities and reduction in lung compliance, and the hallmark of the syndrome is hypoxemia refractory to oxygen therapy. Severe hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2 < 100 mmHg), which defines severe ARDS, can be found in 20-30 % of the patients and is associated with the highest mortality rate. Although the standard supportive treatment remains mechanical ventilation (noninvasive and invasive), possible adjuvant therapies can be considered. We performed an up-to-date clinical review of the possible available strategies for ARDS patients with severe hypoxemia.

MAIN RESULTS

In summary, in moderate-to-severe ARDS or in the presence of other organ failure, noninvasive ventilatory support presents a high risk of failure: in those cases the risk/benefit of delayed mechanical ventilation should be evaluated carefully. Tailoring mechanical ventilation to the individual patient is fundamental to reduce the risk of ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI): it is mandatory to apply a low tidal volume, while the optimal level of positive end-expiratory pressure should be selected after a stratification of the severity of the disease, also taking into account lung recruitability; monitoring transpulmonary pressure or airway driving pressure can help to avoid lung overstress. Targeting oxygenation of 88-92 % and tolerating a moderate level of hypercapnia are a safe choice. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are useful to maintain patient-ventilation synchrony in the first hours; prone positioning improves oxygenation in most cases and promotes a more homogeneous distribution of ventilation, reducing the risk of VILI; both treatments, also in combination, are associated with an improvement in outcome if applied in the acute phase in the most severe cases. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in severe ARDS is increasing worldwide, but because of a lack of randomized trials is still considered a rescue therapy.

CONCLUSION

Severe ARDS patients should receive a holistic framework of respiratory and hemodynamic support aimed to ensure adequate gas exchange while minimizing the risk of VILI, by promoting lung recruitment and setting protective mechanical ventilation. In the most severe cases, NMBAs, prone positioning, and ECMO should be considered.