Effects of Non-invasive Ventilation With Helium-oxygen Mixture in Premature Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The use of a mixture of helium with oxygen (heliox) as a breathing gas may be beneficial due to its unique physical properties, such as low density and high carbon dioxide (CO2) diffusion coefficient. In previous studies in neonates with respiratory failure, conventional ventilation with heliox was associated with improved oxygenation and selected respiratory parameters. The use of heliox may increase the effectiveness of intermittent nasal positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), but knowledge about the effects of such therapy on newborns is limited.The use of non- invasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) allows synchronization and assessment of electrical activity of the diaphragm (EaDI) during heliox administration in premature babies with respiratory failure.