Clinical Protocol. Category: General Icu Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist, Nava

Patient selection Today no literature exists that provides evidence that NAVA improves survival, length of ICU stay or time spent on the ventilator. However, compared to other ventilatory modes, ventilator support in NAVA more closely resembles normal respiratory physiology. Several studies have demonstrated improved patient-ventilator synchrony in NAVA compared to Pressure Support ventilation. Accordingly, patients at risk for asynchrony with the ventilator (i.e. intrinsic PEEP, respiratory muscle weakness) are most likely to benefit from NAVA. Improved patient-ventilator synchrony may improve quality of sleep. Contraindications for NAVA ventilation: Known contraindications for naso-/orogastric feeding tube (including recent upper airway surgery, esophageal surgery, recent esophageal bleeding, skull base fracture)