Electromagnetic Stimulation of the Phrenic Nerve of Intubated Patients

During the time of first spontaneous breathing trial 60% of mechanically ventilated patients present with diaphragmatic weakness or also know as ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD). The damage to the diaphragm in terms of muscle atrophy has been shown as early as 12 hours after initiation of mechanical ventilation. Recently, a correlation between diaphragmatic atrophy and mortality could be established. Induction of diaphragmatic contractions via stimulation of the phrenic nerve would be a possible method to prevent or treat VIDD. A possible modality would be the non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation but feasibility has not been established. In this proof-of-concept trial the primary aim is to show that it is possible to induce a diaphragmatic contraction leading to an inspiration with a sufficient tidal volume via an external electromagnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerve.