Abstract
Summary The use of controlled mechanical ventilation results in a major reduction of diaphragmatic contractile force together with atrophy of diaphragm muscle fibers, which is a condition known as ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction. Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction is one of the major contributors to weaning difficulties and even increased mortality. This review summarizes the current data on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, and it outlines the use of ultrasonography for diaphragm evaluation. In addition, current pharmacologic agents used to mitigate ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction are described, with a particular emphasis on the therapeutic potential of theophylline in patients with ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction-associated weaning difficulties.
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Chae-Man Lim MD PhD, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea. E-mail: cmlim{at}amc.seoul.kr.
The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
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