The successful long-term use of electrophrenic stimulation in a child born with total diaphragmatic paralysis has heretofore been unreported. We present the case of a child born four years ago whose ventilation has been supported in varying degrees by electrophrenic stimulation. Mechanical ventilation employing assist, control, and intermittent mandatory ventilation modes has been used to supplement the ventilatory efforts resulting from electrophrenic stimulation. Complications have included stimulator failure and recurrent bouts of pneumonia.
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References
1.
SarnoffSJ, HardenburgE, WhittenburgerJL: Electrophrenic respiration. Am J Physio155:1, 1948.
