Diaphragmatic pacing stimulation in spinal cord injury: anesthetic and perioperative management

Patients with high-level spinal cord injuries often require long-term mechanical ventilation through a tracheostomy. This study explores an alternative approach: diaphragmatic pacemaker implantation. The study focuses on the anesthetic and perioperative management of patients undergoing this procedure, detailing the methods used to ensure patient safety and optimize outcomes. The implantation of a diaphragmatic phrenic system is presented as a potentially safer technique that could improve the quality of life for ventilator-dependent patients with spinal cord injuries.

• 1
  The diaphragmatic pacemaker placement was successful in all five patients who participated in the study.
• 2
  Two patients experienced capnothorax during the perioperative period, but the issue was resolved without lasting effects.
• 3
  After six months, three patients were able to continuously use the diaphragm pacing system, and one patient could be off mechanical ventilation for over 4 hours daily.