NAVA Unloading - Effects on Distribution of Ventilation

Title: Reduced Unloading in NAVA Improves distribution of Ventilation in ICU patients. Objectives: 1. To investigate if NAVA targeted to moderate respiratory muscular unloading results in redistribution of ventilation to the dorsal regions of the lungs 2. To verify if the redistribution of ventilation translates to a better gas exchange and to a potentially lung protective ventilation strategy (lower airway pressures) 3. To verify the possibility to set NAVA at different levels of unloading, based on Neuro-Ventilatory Efficiency. Study Design: Randomised Crossover of Pressure Support and NAVA at different levels of unloading. Population: Adult Intubated patients at the Neurosurgical ICU, ventilated for more than 48h, in weaning phase from mechanical ventilation. Study duration: 2,5h Number of subjects: 12