Evolution Over Time of Ventilatory Management and Outcome of Patients With Neurologic Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the changes in ventilator management over time in patients with neurologic disease at ICU admission and to estimate factors associated with 28-day hospital mortality. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of three prospective, observational, multicenter studies. SETTING: Cohort studies conducted in 2004, 2010, and 2016. PATIENTS: Adult patients who received mechanical ventilation for more than 12 hours. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 20,929 patients enrolled, we included 4,152 (20%) mechanically ventilated patients due to different neurologic diseases. Hemorrhagic stroke and brain trauma were the most common pathologies associated with the need for mechanical ventilation. Although volume-cycled ventilation remained the preferred ventilation mode, there was a significant (p < 0.001) increment in the use of pressure support ventilation. The proportion of patients receiving a protective lung ventilation strategy was increased over time: 47% in 2004, 63% in 2010, and 65% in 2016 (p < 0.001), as well as the duration of protective ventilation strategies: 406 days per 1,000 mechanical ventilation days in 2004, 523 days per 1,000 mechanical ventilation days in 2010, and 585 days per 1,000 mechanical ventilation days in 2016 (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the length of stay in the ICU, mortality in the ICU, and mortality in hospital from 2004 to 2016. Independent risk factors for 28-day mortality were age greater than 75 years, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II greater than 50, the occurrence of organ dysfunction within first 48 hours after brain injury, and specific neurologic diseases such as hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, and brain trauma. CONCLUSIONS: More lung-protective ventilatory strategies have been implemented over years in neurologic patients with no effect on pulmonary complications or on survival. We found several prognostic factors on mortality such as advanced age, the severity of the disease, organ dysfunctions, and the etiology of neurologic disease.

Trends in Noninvasive and Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Among Medicare Beneficiaries at the End of Life.

Importance: End-of-life care is costly, and decedents often experience overtreatment or low-quality care. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) may be a palliative approach to avoid invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) among select patients who are hospitalized at the end of life. Objective: To examine the trends in NIV and IMV use among decedents with a hospitalization in the last 30 days of life. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study used a 20% random sample of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who had an acute care hospitalization in the last 30 days of life and died between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2017. Sociodemographic, diagnosis, and comorbidity data were obtained from Medicare claims data. Data analysis was performed from September 2019 to July 2020. Exposures: Use of NIV or IMV. Main Outcomes and Measures: Validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification or International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification procedure codes were reviewed to identify use of NIV, IMV, both NIV and IMV, or none. Four subcohorts of Medicare beneficiaries were identified using primary admitting diagnosis codes (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], congested heart failure [CHF], cancer, and dementia). Measures of end-of-life care included in-hospital death (acute care setting), hospice enrollment at death, and hospice enrollment in the last 3 days of life. Random-effects logistic regression examined NIV and IMV use adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, admitting diagnosis, and comorbidities. Results: A total of 2 470 435 Medicare beneficiaries (1 353 798 women [54.8%]; mean [SD] age, 82.2 [8.2] years) were hospitalized within 30 days of death. Compared with 2000, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for the increase in NIV use was 2.63 (95% CI, 2.46-2.82; % receipt: 0.8% vs 2.0%) for 2005 and 11.84 (95% CI, 11.11-12.61; % receipt: 0.8% vs 7.1%) for 2017. Compared with 2000, the AOR for the increase in IMV use was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.02-1.06; % receipt: 15.0% vs 15.2%) for 2005 and 1.63 (95% CI, 1.59-1.66; % receipt: 15.0% vs 18.2%) for 2017. In subanalyses comparing 2017 with 2000, similar trends found increased NIV among patients with CHF (% receipt: 1.4% vs 14.2%; AOR, 14.14 [95% CI, 11.77-16.98]) and COPD (% receipt: 2.7% vs 14.5%; AOR, 8.22 [95% CI, 6.42-10.52]), with reciprocal stabilization in IMV use among patients with CHF (% receipt: 11.1% vs 7.8%; AOR, 1.07 [95% CI, 0.95-1.19]) and COPD (% receipt: 17.4% vs 13.2%; AOR, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.88-1.21]). The AOR for increased NIV use was 10.82 (95% CI, 8.16-14.34; % receipt: 0.4% vs 3.5%) among decedents with cancer and 9.62 (95% CI, 7.61-12.15; % receipt: 0.6% vs 5.2%) among decedents with dementia. The AOR for increased IMV use was 1.40 (95% CI, 1.26-1.55; % receipt: 6.2% vs 7.6%) among decedents with cancer and 1.28 (95% CI, 1.17-1.41; % receipt: 5.7% vs 6.2%) among decedents with dementia. Among decedents with NIV vs IMV use, lower rates of in-hospital death (50.3% [95% CI, 49.3%-51.3%] vs 76.7% [95% CI, 75.9%-77.5%]) and hospice enrollment in the last 3 days of life (57.7% [95% CI, 56.2%-59.3%] vs 63.0% [95% CI, 60.9%-65.1%]) were observed along with higher rates of hospice enrollment (41.3% [95% CI, 40.4%-42.3%] vs 20.0% [95% CI, 19.2%-20.7%]). Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that the use of NIV rapidly increased from 2000 through 2017 among Medicare beneficiaries at the end of life, especially among persons with cancer and dementia. The findings suggest that trials to evaluate the outcomes of NIV are warranted to inform discussions about the goals of this therapy between clinicians and patients and their health care proxies.

Use of Noninvasive Ventilation and High-Flow Nasal Cannulae Therapy for Infants and Children with Acute Respiratory Distress Outside of Paediatric Intensive Care: A review article.

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and high-flow nasal cannulae therapy (HFNCT) are first-line methods of treatment for children presenting with acute respiratory distress, with paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) providing an ideal environment for subsequent treatment monitoring. However, the availability of step-down units, where NIV and HFNCT can be safely utilised, has reduced the need for such patients to be admitted to PICUs, thereby leading to the better overall utilisation of critical care resources. In addition, NIV and HFNCT can also be used during transport instead of invasive ventilation, thus avoiding the complications associated with the latter approach. This review article examines the safety and applicability of these respiratory support approaches outside of paediatric intensive care as well as various factors associated with treatment success or failure.

Trends in the Use of Noninvasive and Invasive Ventilation for Severe Asthma.

OBJECTIVES: To explore and define contemporary trends in the use of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in the treatment of children with asthma. METHODS: We performed a serial cross-sectional analysis using data from the Pediatric Health Information System. We examined 2014-2018 admission abstracts from patients aged 2 to 17 years who were admitted to member hospitals with a primary diagnosis of asthma. We report temporal trends in IMV use, NIV use, ICU admission, length of stay, and mortality. RESULTS: Over the study period, 48 hospitals reported 95 204 admissions with a primary diagnosis of asthma. Overall, IMV use remained stable at 0.6% between 2014 and 2018 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.3%-1.1% and 0.2%-1.3%, respectively), whereas NIV use increased from 1.5% (IQR: 0.3%-3.2%) to 2.1% (IQR: 0.3%-5.6%). There was considerable practice variation among centers, with NIV rates more than doubling within the highest quartile of users (from 4.8% [IQR: 2.8%-7.5%] to 13.2% [IQR: 7.4%-15.2%]; P < .02). ICU admission was more common among centers with high NIV use, but centers with high NIV use did not differ from lower-use centers in mortality, IMV use, or overall average length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IMV is at historic lows, and NIV has replaced it as the primary mechanical support mode for asthma. However, there is considerable variability in NIV use. Increased NIV use was not associated with a change in IMV rates, which remained stable. Higher NIV use was associated with increased ICU admissions. NIV's precise contribution to the cost and quality of care remains to be determined.

Uso de ventilación no invasiva luego de la discontinuación de la ventilación mecánica invasiva en pacientes adultos / Use of noninvasive ventilation after discontinuation of invasive mechanical ventilation in adult patients

Introducción: la discontinuación de la ventilación mecánica invasiva en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos es un objetivo fundamental y primario, en pos de evitar las complicaciones asociadas a ella. El uso de ventilación no invasiva en este contexto resulta de utilidad en tres escenarios específicos: a) como prevención de fallo de extubación, b) como cambio de interface, c) en fallo instalado. No existe evidencia suficiente sobre el tiempo de uso habitual de la VNI en esta subpoblación, las variables que se utilizan para elegirla, las causas de fallo de la VNI y la mortalidad asociada en estos pacientes. Objetivos: describir epidemiológicamente a los pacientes adultos con uso de VNI posextubación y su evolución hasta el alta hospitalaria. Describir la indicación de VNI, el tiempo de uso, las tasas de reintubación y mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Materiales y métodos: cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes internados en la UCI de adultos del Hospital Italiano de San Justo que utilizaron VNI posextubación. A partir de la historia clínica electrónica se registraron variables epidemiológicas previas al ingreso en la UCI y datos evolutivos durante la internación. El período analizado abarca desde el 17 de diciembre de 2016 hasta el 01 de agosto de 2018. Resultados: se incluyeron 48 pacientes en el presente estudio. La mediana de edad fue de 76 años (RIQ 62,75-83,25). El 58,33% eran hombres. El índice de comorbilidad de Charlson tuvo un valor de mediana de 5 (RIQ 3-6). Del total de pacientes reclutados, 33 utilizaron VNI como prevención de fallo de extubación (68,75%), 13 como cambio de interface (27,08%) y solo 2 como fallo instalado (4,16%). La mediana de días de uso de VNI fue 1 (RIQ 0-5) en prevención de fallo, 1 (RIQ 1-2) en cambio de interface y en fallo instalado 13,5 días (RIQ 8,75-18,25). Ocho pacientes fueron reintubados (16,66%). La mortalidad fue del 9,1% en el grupo de prevención de fallo y 7,7% en el grupo de cambio de interface, respectivamente. En cuanto al grupo que la usó a partir del fallo instalado, la tasa de mortalidad fue del 50% (total de dos pacientes). Conclusiones: la VNI como método de discontinuación de la VMI se utiliza principalmente tanto para la prevención de fallo como para cambio de interfaz. El tiempo de uso de VNI posextubación es, en general, limitado. Se necesitan futuros trabajos que identifiquen las horas requeridas de uso de VNI posextubación. (AU)

Introduction: the discontinuation of invasive mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit is a fundamental and primary objective, both of which aim to avoid the complications associated with it. The use of non-invasive ventilation in this context may follow three specific scenarios: a) as prevention of extubation failure, b) as interface change, c) in overt failure. There is not enough evidence on the time of use of NIV in this subpopulation, the variables used to guide its use, the causes of NIV failure and the associated mortality in these patients. Objectives: to describe the use of NIV after extubation in adult critically ill patients. Further, we aim to describe the time of NIV use, the mortality and reintubation rate of each subgroup. Materials and methods: retrospective cohort study including adult patients admitted to the ICU at Hospital Italiano de San Justo, who received NIV post-extubation. Using the electronic health database, epidemiological variables were recorded prior to admission to the ICU and follow-up data during the hospitalization. The period analyzed was from December 17, 2016 to August 1, 2018. Results: 48 patients were included in the present analysis. Median age was 76 years (RIQ 62.75-83.25) and 58.33% were men. The Charlson comorbidity index had a median value of 5 (RIQ 3-6). Of the total number of patients recruited, 33 used NIV as prevention of extubation failure (68.75%), 13 as interface change (27.08%). ) and only 2 as overt extubation failure (4.16%).The median number of days of NIV use was 1 (RIQ 0-5) in failure prevention and 1 (RIQ 1-2) in the change of interface group. 8 patients were reintubated (16.66%). 9.1% and 7.7% of patients died in the groups that used NIV as prevention of extubation failure and change of interface respectively. Conclusions: NIV is frequently used in adult patients following extubation in our centre. Further studies are warranted to depict the necessary time of use to better allocate resources within the intensive care unit. (AU)

2018 Year in Review: Noninvasive Respiratory Support.

Noninvasive respiratory support refers to strategies aimed at providing oxygenation and/or ventilation without the use of an artificial airway. These strategies include the use of standard oxygen delivery devices (face masks, low-flow nasal cannulas), noninvasive ventilation, and high-flow nasal cannula. Considerable interest has been generated recently as to which therapy provides the optimum noninvasive support. This review examined the important literature related to noninvasive respiratory support published in 2018.

Comparison in the Management of Respiratory Failure due to Bronchiolitis in a Pediatric ICU Between 2010 and 2016.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, respiratory support in severe bronchiolitis has changed in several aspects: increased use of noninvasive ventilation, new equipment, and implementation of high-flow nasal cannula therapy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of the changes progressively introduced in the respiratory support of patients with bronchiolitis to reduce the intubation rate. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, descriptive study. Patients admitted to the pediatric ICU of Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona, Spain) with respiratory failure due to bronchiolitis in the 2010-2011 and 2016-2017 periods were included. Exclusion criteria were the following: patients who were previously intubated and tracheostomized and patients > 1 y. Data collected were demographic, clinical, and ventilatory variables, including the type, equipment used, and length of the respiratory support received. RESULTS: A total of 161 subjects were included: 53 in the 2010-2011 period and 108 in the 2016-2017 period. No clinical differences were observed except the incidence of previous apnea, a diagnosis of sepsis, and procalcitonin values on admission that were higher in the first period. High-flow nasal cannula use before pediatric ICU admission was significantly higher in 2016-2017. A significant increase in the use of the total face mask was observed. The need for invasive ventilation decreased from 37.7% to 17.5%. In the multivariate study, use of interfaces other than the total face mask was identified as the only independent predictive factor for noninvasive ventilation failure, with an odds ratio of 2.5, 95% CI 1.04-6.2 (P = .040). CONCLUSIONS: An important reduction in invasive ventilation was observed. An independent predictive factor for noninvasive ventilation failure was in using an interface other than the total face mask. Implementation of high-flow nasal cannula has not been identified as an independent protective factor for intubation.

Noninvasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation as respiratory support in preterm infants: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV), a relatively new modality, is gaining popularity despite scarce evidence. This meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nHFOV as respiratory support in premature infants. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception of the database to January 2019. All published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of nHFOV therapy with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or biphasic nCPAP (BP-CPAP) in newborns for respiratory support were included. All meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: A total of 8 RCTs involving 463 patients were included. The meta-analysis estimated a lower risk of intubation (relative risk = 0.50, 95% confidence interval of 0.36 to 0.70) and more effective clearance of carbon dioxide (weighted mean difference = - 4.61, 95% confidence interval of - 7.94 to - 1.28) in the nHFOV group than in the nCPAP/BP-CPAP group. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis of RCTs suggests that nHFOV, as respiratory support in preterm infants, significantly remove carbon dioxide and reduce the risk of intubation compared with nCPAP/BP-CPAP. The appropriate parameter settings for different types of noninvasive high-frequency ventilators, the effect of nHFOV in extremely preterm infants, and the long-term safety of nHFOV need to be assessed in large trials.

Variation in care practices across pediatric acute care cardiology units: Results of the Pediatric Acute Care Cardiology Collaborative (PAC3 ) hospital survey.

BACKGROUND: The Pediatric Acute Care Cardiology Collaborative (PAC3 ) was established in 2014 to improve the quality, value, and experience of hospital-based cardiac acute care outside of the intensive care unit. An initial PAC3 project was a comprehensive survey to understand unit structure, practices, and resource utilization across the collaborative. This report aims to describe the previously unknown degree of practice variation across member institutions. METHODS: A 126-stem question survey was developed with a total of 412 possible response fields across nine domains including demographics, staffing, available resources and therapies, and standard care practices. Five supplemental questions addressed surgical case volume and number of cardiac acute care unit (CACU) admissions. Responses were recorded and stored in Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 31 out of 34 centers (91%) with minimal incomplete fields. A majority (61%) of centers have a single dedicated CACU, which is contiguous or adjacent to the intensive care unit in 48%. A nurse staffing ratio of 3:1 is most common (71%) and most (84%) centers employed a resource nurse. Centralized wireless rhythm monitoring is used in 84% of centers with 54% staffed continuously. There was significant variation in the use of noninvasive respiratory support, vasoactive infusions, and ventricular assist devices across the collaborative. Approximately half of the surveyed centers had lesion-specific postoperative pathways and approximately two-thirds had protocols for single-ventricle patients. CONCLUSIONS: The PAC3 hospital survey is the most comprehensive description of systems and care practices unique to CACUs to date. There exists considerable heterogeneity among unit composition and variation in care practices. These variations may allow for identification of best practices and improved quality of care for patients.

High flow nasal therapy in perioperative medicine: from operating room to general ward.

BACKGROUND: High flow nasal therapy (HFNT) is a technique in which humidified and heated gas is delivered to the airways through the nose via small nasal prongs at flows that are higher than the rates generally applied during conventional oxygen therapy. The delivered high flow rates combine mixtures of air and oxygen and enable different inspired oxygen fractions ranging from 0.21 to 1. HFNT is increasingly used in critically ill adult patients, especially hypoxemic patients in different clinical settings. MAIN BODY: Noninvasive ventilation delivers positive pressure (end-expiratory and inspiratory pressures or continuous positive airway pressure) via different external interfaces. In contrast, HFNT produces different physiological effects that are only partially linked to the generation of expiratory positive airway pressure. HFNT and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) are interesting non-invasive supports in perioperative medicine. HFNT exhibits some advantages compared to NIV because HFNT is easier to apply and requires a lower nursing workload. Tolerance of HFNT remains a matter of intense debate, and it may be related to selected parameters. Patients receiving HFNT and their respiratory patterns should be closely monitored to avoid delays in intubation despite correct oxygenation parameters. CONCLUSION: HFNT seems to be an interesting noninvasive support in perioperative medicine. The present review provides anesthesiologists with an overview of current evidence and practical advice on the application of HFNT in perioperative medicine in adult patients.

Home-Based Care Evolution in Chronic Respiratory Failure between 2001 and 2015 (Antadir Federation Observatory).

BACKGROUND: The aetiologies of chronic respiratory failure (CRF) are moving in many western countries. Obesity-Hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) has become one of the most common indications of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD). Long-Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) technology is the treatment plan for CRF patients in the new era. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess home-based care evolution in CRF patients on LTOT (LTOT) and/or NIV from the ANTADIR observatory. METHODS: A computerized database from 14 regional facilities was analysed (30% of French home-treated patients). Patient age, sex, aetiology, home respiratory devices were recorded between 2001 and 2015. RESULTS: By the end of 2015, 12,147 CRF patients received LTOT (40%), NIV (24%), LTOT + NIV (23%), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP; 11%) or LTOT + CPAP (3%). Between 2001 and 2015, we observed a decrease of LTOT (63-40%) in the benefit of NVI ± LTOT (25-47%). Regarding the aetiology, we note a slight decrease in obstructive disease and a significant increase in restrictive disease, mainly due to OHS. The 10-year survival was better on NIV ± LTOT than on LTOT, for overall patients and for both obstructive and restrictive patients. The 10-year survival was better on NIV ± LTOT than on LTOT (35 vs. 10%, p < 0.05). In COPD patients on LTOT, a switch from conventional to new home devices was observed. Stationary LTOT systems were less prescribed, while portable/transportable -system, liquid oxygen and self-filling oxygen were increasingly prescribed. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed changes in CRF aetiologies and home devices. OHS is now an important indication of NIV. Using new LTOT technologies changed home prescriptions in COPD patients.

To eat or to breathe? The answer is both! Nutritional management during noninvasive ventilation.

Treating respiratory distress is a priority when managing critically ill patients. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly used as a tool to prevent endotracheal intubation. Providing oral or enteral nutritional support during NIV may be perceived as unsafe because of the possible risk of aspiration so that these patients are frequently denied adequate caloric and protein intake. Newly available therapies, such as high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) may allow for more appropriate oral feeding.

Non-invasive ventilation use in status asthmaticus: 16 years of experience in a tertiary intensive care.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in adults presenting with status asthmaticus to Middlemore Hospital Critical Care Complex (CCC, South Auckland, New Zealand) from 2000 to 2015. METHOD: Retrospective review of all adult asthma admissions to the Hospital CCC between 2000 and 2015. Demographic, physiological, treatment data and blood gas results were recorded. RESULTS: There were 265 asthma admissions to Middlemore Hospital CCC during the study period. The median age was 34 years; 64% were female. NIV was used in 186 admissions, of which eight went on to require intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Twenty-three other admissions received IMV without a trial of NIV and a further 58 were managed with medical care only. The average pH for all admissions was 7.23 and the IMV group had an average pH of 6.99. Forty-five admissions presented with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of ≤10. Twenty-five of these were managed with NIV with only one requiring subsequent intubation. The mean duration of NIV in this group was 5 h (range 1-17 h) with a mean ICU and hospital length of stay of 17 h and 3.5 days, respectively. All patients in this group effectively lowered the pCO2 over a 2 h period with NIV having an average drop of 5.9 kPa and IMV 3.4 kPa. CONCLUSION: The use of NIV appears to be safe and effective in patients with severe asthma, including selected patients with an altered level of consciousness. NIV was well tolerated with a low need for subsequent intubation.

Mortality in acute non-invasive ventilation.

A prospective study of non-invasive ventilation at The Prince Charles Hospital outside of the intensive care unit from March 2015 to March 2016 was performed. Overall 69 patients were included. Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure was the most common indication (n = 59; 85%). 49 (71%) had multifactorial respiratory failure. 15 (22%) patients died. Premorbid inability to perform self-care (P = 0.001) and the combination of mean pH < 7.25 and mean PaCO2 ≥ 75 mmHg within 2 h of NIV initiation (P = 0.037) were significantly associated with mortality. There was a non-significant association between older age and mortality.

Ten important articles on noninvasive ventilation in critically ill patients and insights for the future: A report of expert opinions.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive ventilation is used worldwide in many settings. Its effectiveness has been proven for common clinical conditions in critical care such as cardiogenic pulmonary edema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. Since the first pioneering studies of noninvasive ventilation in critical care in the late 1980s, thousands of studies and articles have been published on this topic. Interestingly, some aspects remain controversial (e.g. its use in de-novo hypoxemic respiratory failure, role of sedation, self-induced lung injury). Moreover, the role of NIV has recently been questioned and reconsidered in light of the recent reports of new techniques such as high-flow oxygen nasal therapy. METHODS: We conducted a survey among leading experts on NIV aiming to 1) identify a selection of 10 important articles on NIV in the critical care setting 2) summarize the reasons for the selection of each study 3) offer insights on the future for both clinical application and research on NIV. RESULTS: The experts selected articles over a span of 26 years, more clustered in the last 15 years. The most voted article studied the role of NIV in acute exacerbation chronic pulmonary disease. Concerning the future of clinical applications for and research on NIV, most of the experts forecast the development of innovative new interfaces more adaptable to patients characteristics, the need for good well-designed large randomized controlled trials of NIV in acute "de novo" hypoxemic respiratory failure (including its comparison with high-flow oxygen nasal therapy) and the development of software-based NIV settings to enhance patient-ventilator synchrony. CONCLUSIONS: The selection made by the experts suggests that some applications of NIV in critical care are supported by solid data (e.g. COPD exacerbation) while others are still waiting for confirmation. Moreover, the identified insights for the future would lead to improved clinical effectiveness, new comparisons and evaluation of its role in still "lack of full evidence" clinical settings.

New setting of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist for noninvasive ventilation by facial mask: a physiologic study.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is generally delivered using pneumatically-triggered and cycled-off pressure support (PSP) through a mask. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is the only ventilatory mode that uses a non-pneumatic signal, i.e., diaphragm electrical activity (EAdi), to trigger and drive ventilator assistance. A specific setting to generate neurally controlled pressure support (PSN) was recently proposed for delivering NIV by helmet. We compared PSN with PSP and NAVA during NIV using a facial mask, with respect to patient comfort, gas exchange, and patient-ventilator interaction and synchrony. METHODS: Three 30-minute trials of NIV were randomly delivered to 14 patients immediately after extubation to prevent post-extubation respiratory failure: (1) PSP, with an inspiratory support ≥8 cmH2O; (2) NAVA, adjusting the NAVA level to achieve a comparable peak EAdi (EAdipeak) as during PSP; and (3) PSN, setting the NAVA level at 15 cmH2O/µV with an upper airway pressure (Paw) limit to obtain the same overall Paw applied during PSP. We assessed patient comfort, peak inspiratory flow (PIF), time to reach PIF (PIFtime), EAdipeak, arterial blood gases, pressure-time product of the first 300 ms (PTP300-index) and 500 ms (PTP500-index) after initiation of patient effort, inspiratory trigger delay (DelayTR-insp), and rate of asynchrony, determined as asynchrony index (AI%). The categorical variables were compared using the McNemar test, and continuous variables by the Friedman test followed by the Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (p < 0.017). RESULTS: PSN significantly improved patient comfort, compared to both PSP (p = 0.001) and NAVA (p = 0.002), without differences between the two latter (p = 0.08). PIF (p = 0.109), EAdipeak (p = 0.931) and gas exchange were similar between modes. Compared to PSP and NAVA, PSN reduced PIFtime (p < 0.001), and increased PTP300-index (p = 0.004) and PTP500-index (p = 0.001). NAVA and PSN significantly reduced DelayTR-insp, as opposed to PSP (p < 0.001). During both NAVA and PSN, AI% was <10% in all patients, while AI% was ≥10% in 7 patients (50%) with PSP (p = 0.023 compared with both NAVA and PSN). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to both PSP and NAVA, PSN improved comfort and patient-ventilator interaction during NIV by facial mask. PSN also improved synchrony, as opposed to PSP only. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03041402 . Registered (retrospectively) on 2 February 2017.