• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.441-446
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• 2001

Background: Electrical breathing pacing has many advantages over mechanical ventilation. However, clinically permanent diaphragmatic pacing has been applied to limited patients and few temporary pacing has been reported. Our purpose is to investigate the feasibility of temporary electrical diaphragm pacing in explothoracotomy canine cases. Methods: Five dogs were studied under the general anesthesia. Left 5th intercostal space was opened. Self designed temporary pacing leads were placed around the left phrenic nerve and connected to the myostimulator. Chest wall was closed after tube insertion with underwater drainage. Millar catheter was introduced to the aorta and right atrium. Swan-Ganz catheter was introduced to the pulmonary artery. When the self respiration was shallow with deep anesthesia, hemodynamic and tidal volume were measured with the stimulator on. Results: Tidal volume increased from 143.3$\pm$51.3 ml to 272.3$\pm$87.4 ml(p=0.004). Right atrial diastolic pressure decreased from 0.7$\pm$4.0 mmHg to -10.5$\pm$4.7 mmHg(p=0.005). Pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure decreased from 6.1+2.5 mmHg to 1.2$\pm$4.8 mmHg(p<0.001). The height of water level in chest tube to show intrathoracic pressure change was from 10.3$\pm$6.7cmH$_{2}$O to 20.0$\pm$5.3 cmH$_{2}$O. Conclusion: Temporary electrical diaphragmatic pacing is a simple method to assist respiration in explothoracotomy canine cases. Self designed pacing lead is implantable and removable. Negative pressure ventilation has favorable effects on the circulatory system. Therefore, clinical application of temporary breathing pacing is feasible in thoracotomy patients to assist cardiorespiratory function.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.359-362
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• 2013

Chronic hypoventilation due to injury to the brain stem respiratory center or high cervical cord (above the C3 level) can result in dependence to prolonged mechanical ventilation with tracheostomy, frequent nosocomial pneumonia, and prolonged hospitalization. Diaphragm pacing through electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve is an established treatment for central hypoventilation syndrome. We performed chronic phrenic nerve stimulation for diaphragm pacing with the spinal cord stimulator for pain control in a quadriplegic patient with central apnea due to complete spinal cord injury at the level of C2 from cervical epidural hematoma. After diaphragmatic pacing, the patient who was completely dependent on the mechanical ventilator could ambulate up to three hours every day without aid of mechanical ventilation during the 12 months of follow-up. Diaphragm pacing through unilateral phrenic nerve stimulation with spinal cord stimulator was feasible in an apneic patient with complete quadriplegia who was completely dependent on mechanical ventilation. Diaphragm pacing with the spinal cord stimulator is feasible and effective for the treatment of the central hypoventilation syndrome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.115-120
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• 1983

We implanted pacemakers using screw-in sutureless myocardial electrode in 40 patients between February, 1980 and November, 1982 at Seoul Nation University Hospital. Mean age of total patient who received the pacemaker implantation was 39.9 years, but excluding the patient who received the open heart surgery, mean age was 49.3 years. Cause of pacemaker implantation was complete A-V block in 13 patients, symptomatic sick sinus syndrome in 12 patients, complete A-V block after open heart surgery in 12 patients, second degree A-V block with dizziness in one patient, and atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response in two patients. In thirty nine cases, electrodes were implanted by subxiphoid approach, on the diaphragmatic surface of right ventricle. I n one case, electrode was implanted through the left anterior thoracotomy. Acute stimulation threshold, measured in 35 patients, varied from 0.1 to 2.5 mA [mean 0.85 mA.], and R-wave amplitude [sensitivity], measured in 19 patients, varied from 2.9 mV to 11.5 mV [mean 7.6 mV]. There was no hospital death. The postoperative complications included wound seroma in two patients [5%], wound hematoma in three patients [7.5%], and pacing failure in one patient [2.5%]. The subxiphoid implantation of the pacemaker using sutureless myocardial lead was valuable in obtaining safe, reliable and long-term impulse generation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.363-366
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• 2018

One of the complications of permanent pacemaker implantation is unintended phrenic nerve stimulation. A 15-year-old boy with a permanent pacemaker presented with chest discomfort due to synchronous chest wall contraction with pacing beats. Even after reprogramming of the pacemaker, diaphragmatic stimulation persisted. Therefore, we performed thoracoscopic phrenic nerve insulation using a Gore-Tex patch to insulate the phrenic nerve from the wire. A minimally invasive approach using a thoracoscope is a feasible option for retractable phrenic nerve stimulation after pacemaker implantation.