Long-term experience with diaphragm pacing for traumatic spinal cord injury: Early implantation should be considered.

Background: Cervical spinal cord injury can result in catastrophic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation with high morbidity, mortality, and cost. Diaphragm pacing was developed to replace/decrease mechanical ventilation. We report the largest long-term results in traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.

Completed FDA feasibility trial of surgically placed temporary diaphragm pacing electrodes: A promising option to prevent and treat respiratory failure.

Background: Etiologies contributing to failure to wean from mechanical ventilation (MV) are multiple, resulting in morbid and costly outcomes. Diaphragm pacing (DP) is used in spinal cord injury to replace MV. Temporary DP could be utilized in acute respiratory failure to reduce MV.

Identification of unexpected respiratory abnormalities in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through electromyographic analysis using intramuscular electrodes implanted for therapeutic diaphragmatic pacing.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients have significant respiratory abnormalities with incomplete understanding of respiratory control. This study analyzes electromyography (EMG) of the diaphragm (dEMG) using implanted diaphragm pacing (DP) electrodes.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of dEMG data were obtained during Institutional Review Board and US Food and Drug Administration approved trials.

Extended use of diaphragm pacing in patients with unilateral or bilateral diaphragm dysfunction: a new therapeutic option.

Background: Diaphragm dysfunction (DD) can cause sleep abnormalities, dyspnea, atelectasis, and respiratory failure. Historical treatments, including positive pressure ventilation or diaphragm plication, may alleviate symptoms but do not restore physiologic diaphragm function. Diaphragm pacing (DP) is approved for spinal cord-injured patients and in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Final analysis of the pilot trial of diaphragm pacing in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with long-term follow-up: diaphragm pacing positively affects diaphragm respiration.

Background: Respiratory insufficiency is the major cause of mortality in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease. This is the final report of the diaphragm pacing (DP) pilot trial.

Methods: Patients underwent laparoscopic diaphragm electrode implantations and subsequent conditioning of diaphragms.