Non-invasive home ventilation using the average volume assured pressure support feature in an infant with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and chronic respiratory failure

Introduction:While majority of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)can be discharged home without low flow oxygen or on supplemental low flow oxygen,some require long term home mechanical ventilation.Case presentation:We present a case of an extremely premature infant with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia who was successfully managed at home on a new feature of non-invasive ventilation called average volume assured pressure support(AVAPS)without the need for tracheostomy.The AVAPS feature enables the machine to deliver a consistent tidal volume by automatically adjusting the inspiratory pressure within a set range.Conclusion:The use of AVAPS feature in our case improved ventilation as indicated by a more stable gas exchange profile,making home non-invasive ventilation a more practicable method of managing severe BPD in this infant.