Comparing Noninvasive Ventilation Delivered Using Neurally-Adjusted Ventilatory Assist or Pressure Support in Acute Respiratory Failure.

BACKGROUND

The use of neurally-adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) during noninvasive ventilation (NIV) results in better patient-ventilator interaction. Whether this improves clinical outcomes lacks dedicated study.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, we compared NAVA with PSV for delivering NIV in consecutive subjects with de novo acute respiratory failure. The primary outcomes were NIV failure rates and 28-d mortality. The secondary outcomes were asynchrony index, NIV-related complications, and others.

RESULTS

We enrolled 100 subjects (50 subjects each for NAVA and PSV, 60% male) with a mean ± SD age of 56.7 ± 12 y. There was no difference in NIV failure rates (30% vs 32%, = .83) and 28-d mortality rates (18% vs 34%, = .07) between the NAVA and PSV arms, respectively. The median asynchrony index was significantly lower with NAVA (6.7 vs 44.8, < .001). The use of NAVA significantly reduced NIV-related complications (32% vs 58%, = .01). In a post hoc analysis, the use of NAVA significantly reduced the 28-d mortality in subjects with COPD exacerbation.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of NAVA during NIV did not improve NIV failure rate or 28-d mortality in subjects with acute respiratory failure. However, patient-ventilator asynchrony and NIV-related complications were reduced with NAVA.

TRIAL REGISTRY

www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03271671).