NAVA Helmet in Pediatric Respiratory Failure

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) is a new form of partial support wherein the machine applies positive pressure throughout inspiration in proportion to the electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi), Because ventilator functioning and cycling are under control of the patient's respiratory drive and rhythm, NAVA has the potential to enhance patient-ventilator interaction ensuring synchrony and minimizing the risk of over-assistance. Among different interfaces, the pediatric helmet is better tolerated than facial or nasal mask, thus requiring less sedation and allowing more prolonged ventilatory assistance (5-6).To date, no data exist on the use of NAVA in infants during noninvasive ventilation. The aim of this physiological study is to compare patient-ventilator interaction in infants receiving NIV by NAVA and Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) with helmet.