Predictors for Invasive Home Mechanical Ventilation Duration in Chronic
Lung Disease of Prematurity
Abstract
Background Children with chronic lung disease (CLD) of
prematurity who require invasive home mechanical ventilation (iHMV) are
medically vulnerable and experience high caregiving and healthcare
costs. Predictors for duration of iHMV remain unclear, which can make
prognostication and decision-making challenging. Methods A
retrospective cohort study of children with CLD of prematurity requiring
invasive iHMV was conducted from an independent children’s hospital
records (2005-2021). The primary outcome was iHMV duration, defined as
time from initial discharge home on iHMV until cessation of positive
pressure ventilation (day and night). Two new variables were included:
corrected tracheostomy age (CTA) (chronological age at discharge minus
age at tracheotomy) and level of ventilator support at discharge (minute
ventilation per kg per day). Univariable Cox regression was performed
with variables of interest compared to iHMV duration. Significant
nonlinear factors (P<0.05) were included in the multivariable
analysis. Results One-hundred-and-nineteen patients used iHMV
primarily for CLD of prematurity. Patient median index hospitalization
lasted 12 months (IQR 8.0,14.4). Once home, half of patients were weaned
off iHMV by 36.0 months and 90% by 52.2 months. Being Hispanic/Lantix
ethnicity (HR 0.14 (95% CI 0.04, 0.53), p<0.01) and having a
higher CTA were associated with increased iHMV duration (HR 0.66 (CI
0.43, 0.98), p<0.05). Conclusions Disparity in iHMV
duration exists among patients using iHMV after prematurity. Prospective
multisite studies that further investigate new analytic variables, such
as CTA and level of ventilator support, and address standardization of
iHMV care are needed to create more equitable iHMV management
strategies.