Keywords airway extubation - carbon dioxide - high-frequency ventilation - intermittent positive
pressure ventilation - newborn - noninvasive ventilation
Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is used as a primary or postextubation mode of respiratory
support to reduce pulmonary complications from intubation and prolonged invasive mechanical
ventilation.[1 ]
[2 ]
[3 ] Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) has been applied as a standard
mode of NIV for several decades. However, in the past decade, synchronized nasal intermittent
positive pressure ventilation (sNIPPV) and nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation
(nHFOV) have been increasingly utilized in neonatal medicine.[4 ] sNIPPV is used to deliver synchronized intermittent positive pressure during the
inspiratory phase[5 ] and nHFOV is used to generate oscillation without synchrony over continuous positive
airway pressure.[6 ]
In a meta-analysis, sNIPPV (9.4% [17/180]) was shown to more efficacious than nCPAP
(39.5% [68/172]) in preventing postextubation failure.[7 ] From three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the partial pressure of carbon dioxide
(pCO2 ) level during sNIPPV was lower than that during nCPAP in postextubation.[8 ]
[9 ]
[10 ] Mean ± standard deviation (SD) pCO2 levels after sNIPPV versus nCPAP were 37 ± 1 versus 40 ± 2,[9 ] 42.9 ± 2.2 versus 44.8 ± 2.2,[10 ] and 50 ± 9 versus 53 ± 9[8 ] mm Hg. In a recent review and meta-analysis, nHFOV was superior to single-level
and biphasic nCPAP in preventing reintubation (odds ratio: 0.3; p <0.001) and potentially in reducing pCO2 levels (mean difference: –4.6 mm Hg; p = 0.05).[6 ]
In previous meta-analyses, the mean airway pressure (MAP) in NIPPV[7 ] and nHFOV[11 ] was similar or higher than that in nCPAP. In an RCT, the rate of extubation failure
in preterm infants was lower with an nCPAP range of 7 to 9 cm H2 O than that with a range of 4 to 6 cm H2 O.[12 ] Thus, the mechanisms of any apparent advantages of sNIPPV and nHFOV, except for
the higher MAP, are unclear. There is paucity of literature from RCTs comparing nHFOV
with sNIPPV. Henceforth, this crossover RCT aimed to compare the 2-hour pCO2 level between nHFOV and sNIPPV after extubation.
Materials and Methods
Setting and Participants
We performed an open-label and crossover RCT in a university-based tertiary referral
neonatal intensive care unit in Southern Thailand from July 2020 to June 2022. This
RCT was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of our institution (approval
no.: REC. 62-382-1-1) and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04323397).
All inborn preterm and term neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care
unit, had undergone their first endotracheal intubation, and needed NIV after extubation
were assessed for eligibility. We excluded neonates with (1) no arterial catheterization;
(2) major congenital anomalies or chromosomal abnormalities; (3) neuromuscular diseases;
(4) upper respiratory tract abnormalities; (5) congenital lung diseases or pulmonary
hypoplasia; (6) surgical conditions known before the first extubation; (7) grade IV
intraventricular hemorrhage occurring before the first extubation; (8) palliative
care; or (9) the parents' decision not to participate. Withdrawal criteria were (1)
reintubation during the crossover period and (2) the parents' decision for their neonate
not to continue participation.
Randomization
Stratification was performed based on gestational age (GA) (< or ≥32 weeks), oxygenation
index (OI) (< or ≥12), and intubation period (< or ≥7 days). Participants were randomly
allocated (1:1) to one of two treatment sequences (nHFOV–sNIPPV or sNIPPV–nHFOV) in
the crossover design ([Fig. 1 ]; [Supplementary Table S1 ], available in the online version). The allocation sequence was performed via computer
generation permuted-block randomization and sealed-envelope allocation were used.
Caregivers were not blinded to the intervention owing to its nature.
Fig. 1 Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials diagram of participants. A diagram showing
patients allocated to the nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV) or
synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (sNIPPV) groups.
Procedure
Intravenous aminophylline was routinely prescribed after birth or ≥24 hours before
extubation for preterm neonates with a birth weight (BW) <1,250 g. The mode of invasive
ventilation was chosen as deemed appropriate by the attending staff; however, HFOV
was used as the primary therapy in most intubated cases until extubation. Chest X-rays
and arterial blood gas (ABG) testing were generally performed before extubation. At
the time of the study, no consensus recommendations for extubation criteria or initial
and discontinuation NIV settings were available. Therefore, the attending neonatologists
followed institutional guidelines. Extubation criteria were as follows: the ventilated
neonate had an oxygen saturation >90%, a fraction of inspired oxygen <0.4, and acceptable
ABG test results (pH >7.25, pCO2 <60 mm Hg), with the respiratory settings detailed in [Table 1 ]. Informed consent was obtained from parents by neonatal fellows. After patient enrollment,
group allocation was immediately performed by the same neonatal fellows.
Table 1
Extubation criteria for high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, synchronized intermittent
positive pressure ventilation, and initial protocol settings of nasal high-frequency
oscillatory ventilation and nasal synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation
Invasive mode
HFOV
SIPPV
Extubation criteria
Flow = 6–10 L/min, frequency = 10 Hz, MAP = 6–7 cm H2 O for preterm or 7–9 cm H2 O for term neonates, amplitude = 12–20 cm H2 O, I:E = 1:1
Flow = 6–10 L/min, rate = 30 breaths/min, PIP = 12–15 cm H2 O, PEEP = 3 cm H2 O
Noninvasive mode
Nasal HFOV
Nasal SIPPV
Initial noninvasive settings
Flow = 8–10 L/min, frequency = 10 Hz, MAP = “MAP (before extubation) + 2” or 8 (preterm)/10
(term) cm H2 O, amplitude = 2–3 times that of MAP with visible chest oscillatory ventilations or
25–35 cm H2 O, I:E = 1:1, FiO2 = “FiO2 (before extubation) + 0.1–0.2” while keeping targeted SpO2 90–94%
Flow = 8–10 L/min, rate =
40–60 breaths/min, PIP = “PIP (before extubation) + 2–5” or 20 (preterm)/25 (term)
cm H2 O, PEEP = 5 cm H2 O, Ti = 0.4–0.5 s FiO2 = “FiO2 (before extubation) + 0.1–0.2” while keeping targeted SpO2 90–94%. The highest trigger sensitivity avoiding auto triggering was selected
Abbreviations: FiO2 , fraction of inspired oxygen; HFOV, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation; I:E,
inspiratory:expiratory; MAP, mean airway pressure; PEEP, positive end-expiratory pressure;
PIP, peak inspiratory pressure; SIPPV, synchronized intermittent positive pressure
ventilation; SpO2 , oxygen saturation; Ti, inspiratory time.
The initial NIV settings in the crossover phase are described in [Table 1 ]. ABG testing was performed 2-hour postintervention. It was performed again 2 hours
after switching the mode of NIV, without a washout period. Both modes of NIV were
provided with the SLE6000 infant ventilator (SLE, London, United Kingdom) via a nasal
mask. Although our unit also had access to other ventilators, only the SLE6000 ventilator
could be set to either nHFOV or sNIPPV. In all cases in which the nSIPPV mode was
used, a pressure trigger system was used to provide synchronization in the sNIPPV
mode. We applied a pacifier (Jollypop; Sandbox Medical, Pembroke, MA) to soothe preterm
and term neonates and minimize oral leakage. A disposable ventilator circuit (Fisher
& Paykel RT268, Evaqua Dual Limb Infant Breathing Circuit Kit with Evaqua 2 Technology
and Pressure Line; Fisher & Paykel, Auckland, New Zealand) was used.
Arterial pCO2 was measured via ABG testing. Approximately 1 mL of arterial blood was drawn with
a nonheparinized syringe, and 0.2 mL was separately obtained with a heparinized polyethylene
syringe. All blood samples were analyzed using the ABL800 BASIC blood gas and electrolytes
analyzer (Radiometer Medical ApS; Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark) within 1 minute
of blood collection.
Criteria for reintubation were as follows: (1) cardiorespiratory arrest or any type
of pulmonary hemorrhage; (2) persistent low blood pressure with no response to volume
expanders and vasoactive agents; (3) stupor or persistent drowsiness after initial
correction and care; (4) severe respiratory distress, e.g., persistent cyanosis, marked
retraction, and nasal flaring, unresponsive to oxygen supplementation; (5) 2 hours
of respiratory acidosis with pCO2 >70 mm Hg and pH <7.2; (6) 2 hours of hypoxia with a partial pressure of oxygen <50 mm
Hg and a fraction of inspired oxygen >0.6; (7) apnea occurring ≥3 times/h and a heart
rate <100 beats/min, or apnea necessitating bag-and-mask ventilation; and (8) severe
postextubation stridor.
Outcomes
The primary outcome was the arterial pCO2 level after 2 hours of nHFOV compared with that after 2 hours of sNIPPV. Subgroup
analyses were performed for preterm (GA <37 weeks) and very preterm (GA <32 weeks)
neonates.
Sample Size
From previous studies in which nHFOV or sNIPPV were compared with nCPAP in very low
BW infants, the mean ± SD pCO2 level yielded by nHFOV and sNIPPV was 35.1 ± 7.8[13 ] and 50 ± 9[8 ] mm Hg, respectively. Using a significance level of <5% with 80% power, a sample
of 12 very preterm neonates was required for the detection of a difference of pCO2 level between the two modes. Approximately 50 neonates who were intubated in our
unit were included per year, of whom very preterm neonates comprised 30 to 40%. We
performed a 2-year study (50–60 participants [15–20 very preterm neonates] per arm)
to increase the power of the study and recruit sufficient very preterm neonates.
Statistical Analysis
R software (version 4.0.3; The R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria)
was used for statistical comparisons. STATA software (version 17, StataCorp LLC, College
Station, TX) was used to analyze the treatment, sequence, period, and carryover effects,
with p <0.05 deemed statistically significant. Categorical variables were presented as percentages
and compared using the χ
2 or Fisher's exact test. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to determine the normality
of continuous variables. Parametric variables were presented as means ± SDs and compared
using Student's t -test. Nonparametric variables were presented as medians (interquartile ranges) and
compared using the Wilcoxon's rank-sum test.
Results
Overall, 203 neonates were assessed for eligibility and 100 neonates were excluded
([Fig. 1 ]). Finally, 103 neonates were randomly allocated to the study sequences (nHFOV–sNIPPV = 52,
sNIPPV–nHFOV = 51). Owing to one extubation failure (nHFOV–sNIPPV group due to persistent
drowsiness at 3.5 hours after extubation) during the crossover period, 102 neonates
were included for final analysis. The median GA and BW were 33 (30–37) weeks and 1,920
(1,364–2,887) g, respectively. The numbers of term, preterm, and very preterm neonates
in the nHFOV–sNIPPV group were 10, 41, and 19, respectively; those in the sNIPPV–nHFOV
group were 17, 34, and 20, respectively. The median duration of invasive mechanical
ventilation was 45.8 (21.1–87.5) hours. Baseline characteristics and those before
extubation in the nHFOV–sNIPPV and sNIPPV–nHFOV groups are shown in [Table 2 ].
Table 2
Baseline characteristics and those before extubation of participants in both modes
nHFOV–sNIPPV (n = 51)
sNIPPV–nHFOV (n = 51)
Baseline characteristics
Gestational age, wk[a ]
32.8 ± 4
33.5 ± 4
Birth weight, g[b ]
1,850 (1,335–2,772)
1,930 (1,395–2,898)
Small for gestational age
5 (10)
6 (12)
Male
36 (71)
23 (45)
Cesarean delivery
41 (80)
41 (80)
5-min Apgar score[b ]
9 (8–9)
8 (8–9)
Indication for intubation
Respiratory distress syndrome
29 (57)
27 (53)
Transient tachypnea of the newborn
11 (22)
14 (27)
Meconium aspiration syndrome
5 (10)
7 (14)
Persistent pulmonary hypertension
3 (6)
1 (2)
Birth asphyxia
2 (4)
1 (2)
Others
1 (2)
1 (2)
Prophylactic methylxanthines
17 (33)
17 (33)
Before extubation
High-frequency oscillatory ventilation
42 (82)
45 (88)
Mean airway pressure, cm H2 O[b ]
7 (7–8)
7 (7–8)
Oxygenation index[b ]
2.5 (2.0–3.3)
2.6 (2.0–3.5)
Postnatal age, h[b ]
69.2 (22.6–102.8)
47.6 (16.8–77.2)
Body weight, g[b ]
1,720 (1,315–2,763)
2,058 (1,434–2,958)
Duration of intubation, h[b ]
63.4 (21.5–91.7)
38.8 (15.7–73.5)
Abbreviations: nHFOV, nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation; sNIPPV, synchronized
nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation.
Note: Data are presented as no. (%) unless otherwise indicated.
a Mean ± standard deviation.
b Median (interquartile range).
NIV settings after extubation are summarized in [Table 3 ]. The median MAP with sNIPPV was higher than that with nHFOV, but no significant
difference (9 [9–9] vs. 11 [8–12.5] cm H2 O, p = 0.06) was observed. The individual pCO2 levels after 2 hours of NIV in each treatment sequence are illustrated in [Fig. 2 ]. The final ABG samples after sNIPPV and nHFOV were 102 and 102 samples, respectively.
The number of pCO2 <25 mm Hg events after sNIPPV (12 events in 102 samples) was similar to that after
nHFOV (10 events in 102 samples). The pH ranges in these neonates were 7.449 to 7.663
and 7.373 to 7.505 with sNIPPV and nHFOV, respectively. However, in two instances,
the pCO2 level dropped to approximately 10 mm Hg (pH: 7.650–7.663), both events occurring
after sNIPPV ([Fig. 2 ]). The only instance of the pCO2 level rising above 60 mm Hg (pH: 7.171) also occurred after sNIPPV.
Fig. 2 The individual partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2 ) after 2 hours of noninvasive ventilation of each neonate randomly allocated to the
(A ) nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV)-synchronized nasal intermittent
positive pressure ventilation (sNIPPV) and (B ) sNIPPV–nHFOV sequence groups.
Table 3
Nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and synchronized nasal intermittent positive
pressure ventilation settings
nHFOV (102 periods)
sNIPPV (102 periods)
Frequency
10 Hz
60 breaths/min
Mean airway pressure, cm H2 O, median (interquartile range)
9 (9–9)
11 (8–12.5)
Pressure, cm H2 O
Delta pressure
PIP/PEEP
20 cm H2 O = 15 periods
20/5 cm H2 O = 64 periods
25 cm H2 O = 68 periods
25/5 cm H2 O = 38 periods
30 cm H2 O = 17 periods
35 cm H2 O = 2 periods
Abbreviations: nHFOV, nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation; PEEP, positive
end-expiratory pressure; PIP, peak inspiratory pressure; sNIPPV, synchronized nasal
intermittent positive pressure ventilation.
Between the two NIV modes, the mean pCO2 level after 2 hours of nHFOV and sNIPPV was 38.7 ± 8.8 and 36.8 ± 10.2 mm Hg. The
pCO2 levels after 2 hours of nHFOV were significantly higher than those after sNIPPV (mean
difference [95% confidence interval] of 1.9 [0.3–3.4] mm Hg; treatment effect [p = 0.007], but no sequence [p = 0.92], period [p = 0.53], or carryover [p = 0.94] effects). However, the difference was not statistically significant in the
subgroup analyses of preterm and very preterm neonates ([Table 4 ]).
Table 4
Primary outcome of partial pressure of carbon dioxide, partial pressure of carbon
dioxide level and subgroup analyses for preterm and very preterm neonates following
nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation–synchronized nasal intermittent positive
pressure ventilation versus synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation–nasal
high-frequency oscillatory ventilation sequences
Sequence
nHFOV–sNIPPV
sNIPPV–nHFOV
p- Value
Mode of respiratory support
Before extubation
nHFOV
sNIPPV
Before extubation
sNIPPV
nHFOV
Treatment effect[a ]
Carryover effect[b ]
Sequence effect[a ]
Period effect[a ]
All cases
(n = 51)
(n = 51)
p
- Value
pCO2 level
38.0 ± 7.9
39.3 ± 8.9
37.7 ± 10.8
38.4 ± 7.6
35.9 ± 9.6
38.0 ± 8.8
0.02
0.23
0.35
0.76
pCO2 difference
NA
1.4 ± 7.8
–1.6 ± 8.1
NA
–2.6 ± 10.6
2.1 ± 8.0
0.007
0.94
0.92
0.53
Only preterm
(n = 41)
(n = 34)
p
- Value
pCO2 level
37.1 ± 7.4
39.2 ± 9.3
38.2 ± 11.2
37.3 ± 7.8
36.3 ± 10.2
37.9 ± 9.6
0.17
0.34
0.46
0.73
pCO2 difference
NA
2.0 ± 7.9
–0.9 ± 8.3
NA
–1.0 ± 10.9
1.7 ± 8.2
0.10
0.87
0.84
0.94
Only very preterm
(n = 19)
(n = 20)
p
- Value
pCO2 level
35.9 ± 6.6
37.9 ± 10.0
36.7 ± 11.9
37.7 ± 9.6
38.5 ± 9.0
39.5 ± 9.9
0.37
0.47
0.58
0.93
pCO2 difference
NA
2.1 ± 7.5
–1.2 ± 6.3
NA
0.8 ± 10.1
1.0 ± 8.6
0.40
0.80
0.79
0.46
Abbreviations: NA, not applicable; nHFOV, nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation;
pCO2 , partial pressure of carbon dioxide; sNIPPV, synchronized nasal intermittent positive
pressure ventilation.
Note: Data are presented as means ± standard deviations.
a Assuming no carryover effect exists.
b Assuming no sequence effect exists.
Discussion
The pCO2 level was reported in three RCTs on sNIPPV.[8 ]
[9 ]
[10 ] In those studies, the mean GA and BW of participants were 26 to 28 weeks and 800
to 1,000 g, respectively. The ventilators used were the InfantStar ventilator with
the pneumatic StarSync capsule[9 ]
[10 ] and the Stephanie ventilator and the VIP Bird ventilator.[8 ] The settings for the sNIPPV mode varied among the studies, including the respiratory
rate (RR; 10[10 ] and 15–25[9 ] breaths/min), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP; 10–20,[8 ] 13–23[10 ] cm H2 O, and the PIP from the prior invasive mode plus 2–4 cm H2 O[9 ]). The interfaces were nasal prongs in all those studies.[8 ]
[9 ]
[10 ] Mean pCO2 levels from previous studies were 37 ± 1,[9 ] 42.9 ± 2.2,[10 ] and 50 ± 9[8 ] mm Hg. In this study, the mean GA and BW were 33 weeks and 1,920 g, respectively,
both higher than those in the studies mentioned above. The RR and PIP were set to
60 breaths/min and 20 to 25 cm H2 O (both higher than those in previous studies), respectively, via a nasal mask. The
mean pCO2 level was 36.8 ± 10.2 mm Hg. Overall, 2 pCO2 ≈ 10 mm Hg events and 21 pCO2 <30 mm Hg events were observed, which might have resulted from the higher RR and
PIP in this study than those in most previous studies. Only one participant had a
pCO2 >60 mm Hg event. In one RCT, the pCO2 level ranged from 18 to 61 mm Hg.[10 ]
The pCO2 level was reported in two recent RCTs,[14 ]
[15 ] respectively, in which nHFOV was compared with nonsynchronized NIPPV. The GA was
less than 34[15 ] and 37[14 ] weeks in those studies. The brands of ventilator used for nHFOV were SLE[14 ] and Fabian high-frequency oscillation.[15 ] The settings (ranges) for the nHFOV mode varied between studies, including the frequency,
10 (6–15) Hz; MAP, 8–10 (5–16) cm H2 O; and amplitude, 25 (25–50) cm H2 O.[14 ]
[15 ] The interfaces were either only nasal prongs[15 ] or cycled between prongs and masks.[14 ] In one RCT on preterm infants,[14 ] median pCO2 levels before and after nHFOV were 41.3 (32.0–47.4) and 33.8 (29.1–41.0) mm Hg, respectively.
In another RCT on very low BW infants,[15 ] mean pCO2 levels before and after nHFOV were 41.47 ± 3.79 and 41.58 ± 3.65 mm Hg, respectively.
In this study, the settings for nHFOV were as follows: frequency = 10 Hz, MAP = 9
(9–10) cm H2 O, amplitude = 25 (20–35) cm H2 O, and inspiratory time = 50%, similar to those in previous studies. The mean pCO2 level after nHFOV was 38.7 ± 8.8 mm Hg.
In meta-analyses, nHFOV removed significantly more pCO2 than nCPAP.[6 ]
[11 ] Both nHFOV and sNIPPV are reportedly superior to nCPAP in preventing extubation
failure.[6 ]
[7 ] In a network meta-analysis, sNIPPV (surface under the cumulative ranking curve = 0.97)
and nHFOV (surface under the cumulative ranking curve = 0.82) yielded significantly
lower reintubation rates than nCPAP.[16 ] In a recent meta-analysis, nHFOV resulted in a lower reintubation rate in preterm
infants (risk ratio = 0.72) than nonsynchronized NIPPV.[17 ] Therefore, both pCO2 clearance and extubation success are still inconclusive as to which of the two modes
are the most beneficial. Differences in patient characteristics, ventilator settings,
type of ventilator or ventilator circuit, method of synchronization in sNIPPV, type
of nasal interface, and nursing care might have resulted in the different outcomes
in our and previous studies.[5 ]
[6 ]
[18 ]
[19 ]
[20 ] The experience of clinicians and nurses in NIV use and nasal interface caring is
of particular importance. Therefore, further investigation is required into both physiological
and clinical outcomes.
This study's strengths included its internal and external validities. This trial filled
a knowledge gap in comparing the efficacies of the nHFOV and sNIPPV modalities in
CO2 clearance. The crossover design enabled minimization of confounding effects and maximization
of the power of the study. The first mode of NIV was randomized to minimize selection
bias. Enrolled participants comprised both term and preterm neonates, and subgroup
analyses of these were separately compared with results of previous studies. Therefore,
the results are applicable to clinical practice for neonates with a wide range of
GAs.
The major limitations of the present study are as follows. First, we included only
extubated neonates who needed NIV, which was subjectively determined by attending
staff. We have not had an indication or criterion for NIV both term and preterm neonates
after extubation. Second, enrolled participants all had mild respiratory conditions
before extubation (average OI = 2.5, ventilator days = 2–3 days, duration of NIV = 1
day duration of oxygen use after extubation = 4 days), whereas the mean OI in neonates
receiving nHFOV before extubation in previous studies was 3.8 ± 2.7[21 ] and 4.5 ± 0.4.[15 ] Hence, this study might have included term neonates who had respiratory conditions
of lower severity than those in previous studies. Third, no standardized protocol
existed for either NIV mode at the time of the study. The pCO2 level during sNIPPV was lower than that during nHFOV, which has multiple possible
explanations. The RR during sNIPPV, 60 breaths/min in the crossover study, was higher
than that in other studies (range, 15–50 breaths/min).[8 ]
[9 ]
[22 ]
[23 ]
[24 ]
[25 ]
[26 ] The MAP yielded by sNIPPV was higher than that yielded by nHFOV. During NIV, the
flow sensor was turned off and respiratory function was not monitored (e.g., spontaneous
RR and minute ventilation). Fourth, the triggering device for sNIPPV in this study
was pressure. The disadvantages of a pressure trigger for sNIPPV is its low sensitivity,
causing frequent autotriggering or no triggering; autotriggering caused by secretions
or leaks; and the lack of flow monitoring.[5 ] Fifth, no washout period was implemented during the crossover intervention; however,
an optimal time (2 hours) was allowed for each intervention before measurements were
made. ABG testing could mostly be performed 30 minutes after adjustment of the invasive
ventilatory settings. In previous studies, ABG testing was performed 1 to 2,[27 ] 1 to 3,[8 ]
[9 ] 4,[28 ] 6,[29 ] and 12-hour[14 ] post-NIV. Sixth, although the pCO2 levels during sNIPPV were lower than those during nHFOV by 2 mm Hg, this difference
was inconsistent and not clinically significant ([Fig. 2 ]). Further research on nHFOV and sNIPPV is needed in larger samples. Finally, the
results of this study should be interpreted with caution, as neonatal units have patients
with different demographics, use different types of ventilators, and have different
NIV management protocols. The generalizability of our results should be verified in
multicenter studies.
In conclusion, the sNIPPV mode was associated with a lower pCO2 level than the nHFOV mode. However, the pCO2 level did not significantly differ in preterm and very preterm neonates. Further
research on the pCO2 level and reintubation resulting from nHFOV and sNIPPV with different respiratory
settings is needed to develop standardized protocols for extubated neonates.
Erratum: The article has been corrected as per Erratum published on January 24, 2024 (DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1778715).