title: What are the perspectives for ventilated tetraplegics? A French retrospective study of 108 patients with cervical spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tetraplegic patients are often difficult to manage in intensive care units (ICU). The aim of our study was to calculate the incidence of patients in ICU with cervical spinal cord injury with special focus on tetraplegic patients on ventilation support and their future perspectives.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included patients with cervical spinal cord injury in Upper Normandy, between 2002 and 2012. Data analyzed included age, sex, past medical history, date of onset of quadriplegia, level of neurological involvement, AIS grade, and ventilatory status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eight patients were included (49.0 ± 21.1 years). The most common etiology was fall (50 patients [46.3%]). Incidence was calculated at 12.7 per one million inhabitants. Tracheotomy was performed in 40.7% of patients. Long-term mechanical ventilation was required for 6.5%. At the end of the study, 9 patients (9.6%) were permanently hospitalized, 61 patients (64.9%) had returned home but none of the four ventilated patients had been discharged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conclusion of this work is that the future of highly tetraplegic patients is compromised, especially for those who remain reliant on mechanical ventilation.
authors.affiliation: CRMPR « Les Herbiers », 111, rue Herbeuse, 76230 Bois Guillaume, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quesnel
authors.affiliation: Service de réanimation chirurgicale, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Veber
authors.affiliation: Service de neurochirurgie, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Proust
authors.affiliation: Centre Jacques-Calvé, 72, Esplanade Parmentier, 62608 Berck-sur-Mer cedex, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agasse
authors.affiliation: CRMPR « Les Herbiers », 111, rue Herbeuse, 76230 Bois Guillaume, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beuret Blanquart
authors.affiliation: CRMPR « Les Herbiers », 111, rue Herbeuse, 76230 Bois Guillaume, France; Pôle 3R, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France; EA 3830, Groupe de recherche sur le handicap ventilatoire (GRHV), université de Rouen, Rouen, France. Electronic address: eric.verin@chu-rouen.fr.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D066193:Cervical Cord / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D018447:Medical Futility; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Care network; Epidemiology; Tetraplegia; Ventilatory weaning