RT Book, Section A1 Ducko, Christopher T. A2 Sugarbaker, David J. A2 Bueno, Raphael A2 Colson, Yolonda L. A2 Jaklitsch, Michael T. A2 Krasna, Mark J. A2 Mentzer, Steven J. A2 Williams, Marcia A2 Adams, Ann SR Print(0) ID 1105847123 T1 Diaphragm Pacing T2 Adult Chest Surgery, 2e YR 2015 FD 2015 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-178189-3 LK accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1105847123 RD 2024/04/19 AB The technique of applying electrical stimulation to the phrenic nerve to induce diaphragm pacing was first described by Cavallo in 1777.1 Early proponents used this technique for a variety of conditions associated with impaired respiration, including asphyxia (Hufeland, 1783), cholera (Duchenne, 1849), apnea (Israel, 1927), and polio (Sarnoff, 1950).2 Diaphragm pacing was introduced into contemporary thoracic surgical practice in the 1970s by Glenn, who pioneered its application in patients with central apnea (Glenn, 1966) and quadriplegia (Glenn, 1972).2–4 With the standard pacing devices, the electrical stimulus is applied at the phrenic nerve, as originally described. However, a newer approach applies the stimulus directly into the muscle at the phrenic nerve motor point for more direct control.5 The primary conditions amenable to pacing are high cervical spinal cord injuries (i.e., C3–C5) and congenital or acquired central hypoventilation syndrome. Onders et al. have extended pacing via the motor point technique to other populations, including patients with the progressive neuromuscular degenerative disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other more transient problems, such as intensive care unit patients who demonstrate difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation.6,7