FAQs - Using NAVA
Key questions around using an Edi Catheter
The Edi catheter is a form of nasogastric feeding tube. It does contain electronics, but fundamentally bedside nurses, doctors and AHPs like physiotherapists can be reassured that their existing experience of nasogastric tubes still applies.
The most important aspect of insertion and use of the Edi catheter is to ensure that the tube is safely inserted into the oesophagus and stomach and that staff are not distracted by either the trial or the technology into deviating from normal safe practice.
Key differences of NAVA Pressure Support vs Standard Pressure Support
NAVA Pressure support is still a form of pressure support, and so it is important that ICU nurses, doctors and AHPs like physiotherapists are confident that many aspects of pressure support they are familiar with still apply when using NAVA.
What is a 'normal' Edi?
Why does the Edi go up in disease?
In disease states, the respiratory muscles may not perform efficiently, and the central neural centres in the brain increase their signal output to increase the number of muscle units being activated in the diaphragm as well as additional 'accessory' muscles. The Edi signal therefore increases in magnitude. The closer the patient state is to the normal state of healthy physiology, the lower will be the Edi. Low Edi also suggests that spontaneous ventilation is sustainable and has some reserve.
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In COPD, sometimes more than 40% of.the maximum capacity of the diaphragm. This limits exercise tolerance, and also means that patients can quickly become unwell (decompensation) if they develop a new acute problem like pneumonia.
