Phrenic nerve pacing reduces diaphragm atrophy

What is it about?

By using a central venous catheter with embedded electrodes we were able to stimulate the phrenic nerves on both sides as they passed from the spinal cord to the diaphragm in pigs. Pigs that underwent deep sedation and mechanical ventilation for 60 hours showed diaphragm atrophy. In a set of similar pigs we stimulated the phrenic nerve in conjunction with mechanical ventilation and found that this reduced the atrophy of the diaphragm.

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Why is it important?

This reflects an important step in bringing this strategy to the bedside in critically ill patients who require ventilation and deep sedation.