Effect of external diaphragm pacemaker on patients with mechanical ventilation after stroke

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of external diaphragm pacemaker (EDP) in patients with mechanical ventilation after stroke. Methods One hundred patients with mechanical ventilation after stroke, admitted to our hospital from January 2014 and July 201, were assigned to a control group and an observation group (n=50) according to the willing of the patient family. All the patients received routine ICU treatment; patients from the observation group were additionally given external diaphragm pacemaker (EDP). After 30 d of treatment, the incidence of respiratory infections and percentage of total subjects of weaned, diaphragmatic excursion, duration in ICU, and duration of mechanical ventilation were compared between the two groups. Results As compared with those in the control group, the percentage of subjects of weaned and diaphragmatic excursion were significantly increased, and the duration in ICU, duration of mechanical ventilation, and incidence of respiratory infections were significantly decreased in the observation group (P<0.05). Conclusion EDP treatment may increase the percentage of subjects of weaned by improving the diaphragmatic function, which can decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation and incidence of respiratory infections in patients with mechanical ventilation after stroke. Key words: Stroke; External diaphragm pacemaker; Mechanical ventilation