title: Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in neonates weighing <1500 grams: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report our experience using neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA), which allows a patient to synchronize spontaneous respiratory effort with mechanical ventilation, in the neonatal intensive care unit in neonates weighing <1500 g.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective review performed between May 2008 and May 2009. A total of 52 neonates on conventional ventilation were converted to NAVA. We compared ventilatory parameters and blood gas values during conventional ventilation and then at various time intervals during NAVA and evaluated for complications. Statistical analyses were performed using the 2-tailed Student t-test and the Z-test for proportions for demographic data and Hotelling's T(2) test to compare repeated measures (P < .05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peak inspiratory pressure and fraction of inspired oxygen decreased, and pH and partial pressure of carbon dioxide improved during use of NAVA. These changes were sustained for 24 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with standard conventional ventilation, in preterm neonates NAVA appears to provide better blood gas regulation with lower peak inspiratory pressure and oxygen requirements.
authors.affiliation: Toledo Children's Hospital, Toledo, OH, USA. Howardstein@bex.net
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D059725:Interactive Ventilatory Support / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome