NAVA vs PSV Ventilation During Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation in Children After Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for acute and chronic end-stage liver disease. Neurally Adjusted Ventilator Assist (NAVA) may be a feasible solution to guide the liberation from mechanical ventilation reducing asynchronies between patient and ventilator, and optimizing ventilator cycling. Cardiovascular and respiratory effects during NAVA ventilation are very limited after major abdominal surgery. The purpose of this application is to explore the efficacy of NAVA to reduce the asynchronies between the ventilator and pediatric patient admitted in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) after major abdominal surgery, and the relationship between an optimal level of NAVA and cardiac and pulmonary function.