The successful use of continuous negative extrathoracic pressure in a child with Glenn shunt and respiratory failure

Abstract

Following a Glenn shunt, an infant required mechanical ventilation (IPPV) for pneumonia, a phrenic nerve palsy and chylothoraces. In order to improve her deteriorating clinical condition, we used continuous negative extrathoracic pressure (CNEP) to minimise the deleterious effects of IPPV on pulmonary blood flow. She was successfully weaned from IPPV and supported with CNEP.