title: [Respiratory aid using a diaphragmatic pacemaker in high paraplegia].
abstract: Spastic tetraplegia due to cervical medullary injury above the origin of the phrenic nerve neurons means complete respiratory paralysis. In this case a phrenic pacemaker can be considered as an alternative to long term mechanical ventilation. An implantable 8-channel stimulation device has been developed for functional electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves. The "Karussellstimulation" provides fatigue free stimulation for 24 hours a day. We report the case of a 12 year old girl with complete ventilatory insufficiency who underwent implantation of a phrenic pacemaker. 18 month after implantation she is independent of a conventional respirator and limits rehabilitation could be achieved. Electrophrenic respiration is of value in the rehabilitation management of tetraplegic patients with ventilatory insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Kinderheilkunde, Innsbruck.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dengg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bart
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Girsch
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Guggenbichler
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000150:complications*; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
vernacular_title: Atemhilfe durch Zwerchfellschrittmacher bei hoher Querschnittslähmung.