Figure 2

Breathing pattern and cyclic transmural pressure changes in an individual patient (Patient 8). Negative deflections in esophageal pressure (Pes) were preserved during inspiration with all neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) levels, whereas Pes deflections were negative only with the lowest pressure support ventilation (PSV) level and progressively positive with the adequate PSV (PSVal) and the highest PSV level (PSVhigh). Transmural pressures were not much affected by ventilation with NAVA regardless of the assist level used, whereas the negative cyclic changes during inspiration increased with increasing PSV levels. Vertical grey bars indicate the inspiration (defined by airflow) of the corresponding breath. CVP, central venous pressure; EAdi, electrical activity of the diaphragm; NAVAal, adequate NAVA; NAVAhigh, highest level with constant breathing pattern or a maximum 200% of NAVAal; NAVAlow, 50% of NAVAal; PAP, pulmonary artery pressure; Paw, airway pressure; PSVhigh, 150% of PSVal; PSVlow, 50% of PSVal.