Supporting all breaths versus supporting some breaths during synchronised mechanical ventilation in neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness (NICE), UK, guideline published in 2019 recommends the use of volume-targeted ventilation (VTV). It recommends synchronised intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) over the modes that support-all-breaths, for example, assist control ventilation (ACV). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies comparing SIMV mode with triggered modes supporting all breaths.

Methods: Patients: Neonates receiving mechanical ventilation.

Intervention: SIMV ventilation.Comparison: Modes that support-all-breaths: ACV, pressure support ventilation and neurally adjusted ventilation.

Outcomes: Death before discharge and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 weeks' corrected gestation, weaning duration, incidence of air leaks, extubation failure, postnatal steroid use, patent ductus arteriosus requiring treatment, severe (grade 3/4) intraventricular haemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years.Randomised or quasi-randomised clinical trials comparing SIMV with triggered ventilation modes supporting all breaths in neonates, reporting on at least one outcome of interest were eligible for inclusion in the review.

Results: Seven publications describing eight studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. No significant difference in mortality (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.74) or BPD at 36 weeks (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.24), but the weaning duration was significantly shorter in support-all-breaths group with a mean difference of -22.67 hours (95% CI -44.33 to -1.01). No difference in any other outcomes.

Conclusion: Compared with SIMV, synchronised modes supporting all breaths are associated with a shorter weaning duration with no statistically significant difference in mortality, BPD at 36 weeks or other outcomes. Larger studies with explicit ventilator and weaning protocols are needed to compare these modes in the current neonatal population.

Prospero registration number: The review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO: CRD42020207601.