Diaphragm pacing in ventilatory failure

Abstract

Diaphragm pacing, which entails electrical stimulation to the phrenic nerve, is an effective means of managing patients with ventilatory insufficiency and intact lower-motor-neurone innervation of the diaphragm. The pacing apparatus is used to pace the right and left hemi-diaphragms alternately to avoid fatigue, which may damage the muscle irreversibly. Among the important benefits of pacing in quadri-plegics with paralysis of respiratory muscles are the social and psychological advantages of not being dependent on a mechanical ventilator. © 1981, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.