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Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist

It’s not mindreading, but close.[1],[2]

Imagine being able to see and deliver what your patients want, while their own natural respiratory drive controls the ventilator. We call it Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA). It is based on close monitoring of the output of the patient’s respiratory center, by capturing the electrical signal that activates the diaphragm (Edi), using a dedicated gastric feeding tube (Edi catheter). NAVA shortens the time of mechanical ventilation[3] and increases the number of ventilator-free days[3] [4] [5] by providing personalized ventilation that is both lung- and diaphragm-protective.

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Getinge personalized NAVA therapy captures the electrical signal from the diaphragm to monitor a patient`s respiratory center
Learn how NAVA neurally adjusted ventilator assist delivers a more personalized level of ventilation to your patient
Getinge Servo-u mechanical ventilator screen showing monitoring of the patient`s Edi signal thevital sign of respiration

See and deliver what your patient wants

In most intensive care units, 20% of the patients consume 80% of ventilation resources, which may lead to increased complications and unwanted outcomes. [31] For these patients, conventional ventilation simply isn’t enough. By using the NAVA mode on Servo ventilators, which works regardless of patient category or size, the ventilator shows you what the patient wants. Together with other personalized ventilation tools, this can help you reduced complications [9] [10] [29] [30], monitor and reduce sedation [5] [19] [20] [21], achieve earlier and more successful weaning [3] [4] [8] [13] [14] and shorten the time of mechanical ventilation [3] [20] [21].

How NAVA delivers a more personalized level of ventilation in three easy steps.

How NAVA delivers a more personalized level of ventilation in three easy steps.

1.

The brain directs our breathing.

The size and timing of each breath is controlled by the brain’s respiratory center. When the brain has processed multiple sensory inputs, it sends a signal via the phrenic nerve that electrically activates the diaphragm, leading to muscle contraction. The diaphragm then contracts into the abdominal cavity, leading to a descending movement, creating chest wall and lung expansion and inflow of air.

2.

Micro-electrodes detect the vital sign of respiration (Edi).

The electrical discharge of the diaphragm is captured by a special nasogastric feeding tube fitted with an array of electrodes (the Edi catheter). Like an ordinary enteral feeding tube, the Edi catheter passes through the esophagus, where it measures the electrical activity of the diaphragm. The electrodes also monitor ECG signals, which are used to verify the position of the Edi catheter.

3.

Your Servo ventilator user interface presents it all.

The lower part of the screen shows the Edi signal at all times, even if the patient ventilation mode is not switched to NAVA. When you switch on the NAVA mode, the Edi signal automatically guides the ventilator to deliver support in time with and proportion to the diaphragm. The ventilator acts as a second inspiratory muscle – in perfect synchrony with the patients.

Achieve faster personalized weaning with lung- and diaphragm-protective ventilation

Monitor Edi – the vital sign of respiration, from day zero

1. Monitor Edi – the vital sign of respiration, from day zero

Protect and activate the diaphragm to wean earlier

2. Protect and activate the diaphragm to wean earlier

Protect the lungs in synchrony with the patient

3. Protect the lungs in synchrony with the patient

Illustration of a human head profile showing the brain in a green circular design.

4. Improve the patient’s overall ICU experience

Servo-u ventialtor NAVA with EDI curve graphic

Monitor Edi – the vital sign of respiration

In addition to monitoring the impact of mechanical ventilation on lung function, it is also imperative to monitor patient respiratory drive and effort from day zero. Edi monitoring facilitates earlier and more informed decision-making. With this vital sign in your lower screen, you can detect diaphragm inactivity, over-sedation, patient-ventilator asynchrony as well as over- and under-assist. You can also monitor increased work-of-breathing during weaning trials and post-extubation[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15].

Personalized weaning

Diaphragm-protective ventilation

Suboptimal mechanical ventilation can rapidly cause acute diaphragm atrophy or load-induced injury associated with poor clinical outcomes [16] [17]. The key physiological benefits of NAVA are that pressure is always delivered in proportion to and in synchrony with the patient’s own respiratory drive, and that Edi is readily available as a bedside diagnostic tool [1] [2]. NAVA shortens the duration of weaning and increases the proportion of patients with successful weaning[3][4].

Personalized lung protection

Lung-protective ventilation

A key difference between NAVA and conventional support modes is that tidal volume (VT) is controlled via neuro-electrical output from the patient’s respiratory center. Lung over-distension is thus prevented thanks to the Hering-Breuer reflex, which down-regulates the respiratory drive at higher tidal volumes to avoid hyperinflation. As a result, it is possible to achieve lung-protective spontaneous breathing within the protective range of 6-8 ml/kg [1] [2] [18] PBW.

Improved patient experience

Improved patient experience

NAVA has been shown to improve the patient’s overall ICU experience, helping clinicians to potentially reduce sedation with improved comfort and sleep quality [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]. Together, Edi and NAVA assure that the breathing efforts from all patient categories are effectively assessed and responded to. For patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, our non-invasive, leakage-independent NIV NAVA mode can be helpful effective in managing their status and avoiding intubation [14] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28].

Personalized support throughout the treatment

illustration nava

Invasive NAVA

Synchronized assist, weaning and sedation management, supporting early diaphragm activation.

Illustation non-invasive nava

Non-invasive NAVA


Synchronized assist, independent of leakages allowing a gentler mask application.

illustration monitoring

Edi monitoring

Monitor diaphragm activity and breathing effort after extubation. Can be used with High Flow therapy if needed.

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