From copenhagen to critical care

Abstract

In 1952, a poliomyelitis epidemic struck Copenhagen, causing 2,722 hospital admissions. In those with spinal and bulbar paralysis, anaesthetist Bjorn Aage Ibsen implemented tracheostomy and manual intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) to manage respiratory failure, thereby markedly decreasing mortality. His experience led him to develop the world's first intensive care unit (ICU) in 1953. Further, it led to the creation of intensive care medicine. Intensive respiratory support was soon applied to patients with diverse diseases. In 1954, Lassen et al and Honey et al reported survival of patients with severe tetanus treated with curare and mechanical ventilation. In 1955, Björk and Engström used IPPV to provide adequate ventilation after thoracic surgery. In 1956, Morch applied IPPV to manage a crush injury of the chest.