Article Text
Abstract
Background nIPPV is widely spread in Spanish neonatal units. Little evidence about the best mode of delivery or the appropriate ventilatory parameters of nIPPV is available.
The Aim of this study was to assess the current use of nIPPV in Spanish neonatal units.
Methods A survey was designed and sent by email to neonatal units. The survey collected information about the devices and the ventilatory parameters used to deliver nIPPV over 2010. The use of synchronisation was also interrogated.
Results 87 out of 115 questionnaires were answered and returned (75.6%). 71 units used nIPPV (81.6%). Infant Flow® was the most used device (48/71; 67.6%), followed by conventional ventilators (38/71, 53.5%). The initial ventilatory parameters depended on the device that was used. When Infant Flow® was used, PIPs were set between 8 and 10 cmH2O, whereas when a conventional ventilator was used, PIPs varied between 8 and 18 cmH2O. In contrast, PEEP, inflation rate and inflation time were set in a more stable range regardless of which device was used. Regarding synchronisation, only 13/71 units (18.3%) always used synchronisation, whereas 27/71 units (38%) only used it in some cases. The pneumatic capsule was most frequently used when synchronisation was provided with a percentage of 52% (21/40 units).
Conclusion The most used device to apply nIPPV in Spanish neonatal units was a variable flow device. Overall, low PIP and low inflation rates were set at the beginning of this therapy. Synchronisation was scarcely used.