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INTRODUCTION: diaphragmatic dysfunction is a common cause of slow weaning in mechanically ventilated patients. Diaphragmatic dysfunction in ventilated patients can be global or regional. The aim of our study was to evaluate the motion of the entire diaphragm in patients who were ventilated for a protracted period in comparison with healthy controls by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). METHODS: Intensive care patients who had a prolonged ventilator wean and required tracheostomies were enrolled based on extensive exclusion criteria. MRI dynamic sequence and subtraction images were used to measure vertical displacement at five different points on each hemi-diaphragm during normal tidal breathing. Tidal displacement of each point on the right and left hemi-diaphragms of the patients were compared to the precise respective points on the right and left hemi-diaphragms of enrolled controls. RESULTS: Eight intensive care patients and eight controls were enrolled. There were observed significant differences in the displacements of the left hemi-diaphragm between the two groups (median 6.4 mm [Interquartile range (IQR), 4.6-12.5]) vs. 11.6 mm [IQR, 9.5-14.5], p = 0.02). There were also observed significant differences in the displacements at five evaluated study points on the left hemi-diaphragms of the patients when compared to the precise respective points in controls, especially at the dome (median 6.7 mm [IQR, 5.0-11.4] vs. 13.5 mm [IQR 11.5-18], p value = 0.005) and the anterior zone of apposition (median 5.0 mm [IQR, 3.3-7.1] vs. 7.8mm [IQR, 7.1-10.5], p value = 0.01). The intensive care patients showed lower minimal and maximal values of displacement of right hemi-diaphragms compared to the controls, suggesting that the differences in the displacement of right hemi-diaphragm are possible; however, the differences in the mean values of displacement of right hemi-diaphragm between the intensive care patient group and the control group (median 9.8 mm [IQR (Interquartile range), 5.0-12.3] vs. 10.1 mm [IQR 8.3-18.5], p = 0.12) did not reach the level of significance. CONCLUSION: Although frequently global, diaphragm dysfunction in ventilated patients after prolonged ventilation can also be regional or focal when assessed by MRI dynamic sequence. The vertical displacement of both right and left hemi-diaphragms at various anatomical locations had different values in both controls, and patients. There were significant focal variations in the movement of diaphragm in patients with ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction.
RESUMO
Ventilatory modes employing different inspiratory flow patterns and inspiratory to expiratory ratios may alter lung strain in acute lung injury patients. To determine whether variations in lung strain existed between pressure-controlled, volume-controlled, and pressure-controlled inverse ratio modes of ventilation, we randomly applied each for 30 minutes in 18 acute lung injury patients, keeping tidal volume, respiratory rate, fractional inspired oxygen, and total positive end-expiratory pressure constant. After each mode, a multiple linear regression analysis of dynamic airway pressure and airflow was performed with a volume-dependent single compartment model of the equation of motion, and an index of nonlinear elastic behavior was calculated. In five additional patients, concurrent dynamic computerized axial tomography scanning at juxtadiaphragmatic and subcarinal levels was added. Although static mechanics, oxygenation, and hemodynamics were no different between pressure-controlled, volume-controlled, and pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation, we found significant differences in nonlinear behavior. This was least with pressure-controlled followed by volume-controlled ventilation, and pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation had the greatest nonlinear elastic behavior. Dynamic computerized axial tomography analysis revealed more overinflated units in the left subcarinal slice with pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation. Ventilator flow pattern and inspiratory to expiratory ratio independently influence lung strain in acute lung injury; however, further studies are needed to determine the biologic significance.
