Abstract
The aim of this report was to present a tailored program of weaning from mechanical ventilation successfully. This program was developed for the ventilator-dependent patient with spinal cord injury (SCI) and especially targeting the respiratory muscles. A 48-year old male had a car accident on 25 May 2019 and his limb muscle strengths were severely impaired. He was diagnosed with complete cervical spinal cord injury (level C4), difficult-to-wean. Electrical impedance tomography was used to direct the rehabilitation program. Besides, passive activities (stretching of the intercostal muscles, bed tilting, and passive movement of the scapula and the proximal end of the upper limbs) and active training (various diaphragmatic facilitation techniques) were applied for inspiratory muscle training. The patient was successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation and discharged from the hospital. The individualization of rehabilitation program was demonstrated before, during, and after weaning for the SCI patient. Rehabilitation program especially targeting the respiratory muscles would facilitate the weaning process for complete spinal cord injury.
Highlights
Mechanical ventilation is used to save lives in the intensive care units (ICU)
Successful weaning from mechanical ventilation is crucial since patients with prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation are often associated with a higher mortality rate, especially for patients with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) [1]
We presented a case in which a rehabilitation program was developed to facilitate the weaning process targeting the respiratory muscles
Summary
Mechanical ventilation is used to save lives in the intensive care units (ICU). It could cause serious complications such as ventilator-induced lung injury and diaphragm atrophy. Successful weaning from mechanical ventilation is crucial since patients with prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation are often associated with a higher mortality rate, especially for patients with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) [1]. Different causes might be accountable for weaning failure. For patients with cervical SCI, the main causes are partial denervation of the diaphragm, paralysis of the thoracic and abdominal walls [2]. Respiratory complications are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cervical SCI [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
