HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Oakes, D. D. Articles by Hamilton, R. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Oakes, D. D. Articles by Hamilton, R. D.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 30, 118-121, Copyright © 1980 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

ARTICLES

Neurogenic respiratory failure: a 5-year experience using implantable phrenic nerve stimulators

DD Oakes, CB Wilmot, D Halverson and RD Hamilton

During the past 5 years, 20 phrenic nerve stimulators have been implanted in 11 patients who were ventilator dependent because of neurogenic respiratory failure. Ten patients had traumatic spinal cord lesions; the remaining patient suffered from a progressive demyelinating disease. There was no operative mortality. Complications included 1 stimulator malfunction and 1 pneumothorax. In spite of adjacent tracheostomies, there were no infections or wound complications. Of the 20 stimulators implanted, 13 initially produced good diaphragmatic function, 2 had fair function, and 5 had little or not function. Three patients became completely independent of their ventilators; 6 became partially independent, thus simplifying nursing care. There were no late complications. As of December, 1979, 7 patients had benefited or were continuing to benefit from phrenic nerve stimulation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. W. Marcy and J. S. O. Loke Diaphragm Pacing for Ventilatory Insufficiency J Intensive Care Med, November 1, 1987; 2(6): 345 - 353. [Abstract] [PDF]