WOB and Paediatric Mechanical Ventilation

Rationale: The most common approach to weaning infants and children is gradual reduction of ventilatory support ("traditional approach"). Alternatively, another approach to weaning is attempted with alternating periods of complete ventilatory support and graded spontaneous breathing with assistance ("sprinting approach"). Both approaches are used randomly in our unit: the decision to use which approach is dependent upon the preferences of the attending physician as described in many observational single center studies. To date, there is no data comparing the safety and efficacy of the "sprinting" approach with more traditional approaches of weaning in children. Hence, numerous issues remain unanswered, including the work-of-breathing during each approach. For this research proposal, we want to measure the work-of-breathing daily, using the traditional approach (the area under the oesophageal pressure - volume curve) and study its correlation with clinical parameters and EMG activity of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles from the moment that the patient is weaned off the ventilator. Objective: The primary objective for this study is to compare for each patient of the work-of-breathing during the "sprinting"approach and the "traditional approach.The secondary objectives for this study are to compare the oesophageal pressure rate and (PRP) and pressure time product (PTP), the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, global and regional distribution of tidal volume measured using electrical impedance tomography (EIT), phase distribution of the respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) signal and the EMG activity of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles between the "sprinting"and the "traditional" approach.. Study design: This is a prospective exploratory study with invasive measurements in a 20 bed tertiary paediatric intensive care facility at the Beatrix Children's Hospital/University Medical Centre Groningen. Study population: All mechanically ventilated children aged 0 to 5 years w