Permanent artificial respiration by diaphragm pacemaker in tetraplegic children

Paraplegia. 1986 Oct;24(5):276-81. doi: 10.1038/sc.1986.38.

Abstract

This is a study of two children, aged respectively 10 and 6 years, who sustained a spinal cord injury at the C1 C2, causing apnoea. After the bilateral implantation of diaphragm pacemakers and periods of conditioning, they were able to adapt to continuous and simultaneous full-time ventilatory support of both diaphragms without any sign of fatigue, for more than 24 and 11 months, respectively.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Diaphragm*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Quadriplegia / complications
  • Respiration, Artificial / instrumentation*
  • Respiratory Paralysis / therapy*