Maintenance of diaphragmatic muscle force during controlled mechanical ventilation by electro-magnetic stimulation - Investigations in an ex vivo model of the rat diaphragm and in vivo.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stefan Schumann
• Subject Area: Anaesthesiology ; Pneumology, Thoracic Surgery
• Term: from 2014 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 243567390

Controlled mechanical ventilation is the key therapy option in case of lung injury as well as during anesthesia for the purpose of surgical interventions. The inactivity of the diaphragm caused by mechanical ventilation leads to a structural depletion of muscle cells ("ventilator induced diaphragm atrophy") even after hours. This loss in muscular strength can result in severe difficulties during weaning of the patient from the ventilator. A non-invasive therapy for maintaining diaphragmatic muscle strength could apply to patients which require controlled mechanical ventilation for longer periods. We hypothesize that by electro-magnetic stimulation the diaphragmatic muscle atrophy can be reduced. The aim of the proposed project is to investigate how diaphragmatic muscle strength can be preserved optimally by intermediate electro-magnetic stimulation during mechanical ventilation. Therefore the effects of electrical stimulation are investigated in an ex vivo model of the isolated rat diaphragm. Furthermore the effects of non-invasive electro-magnetic stimulation are investigated in mechanically ventilated rats.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Dr. Katharina Gamerdinger; Professor Dr. Josef Guttmann; Professor Dr. Hans-Joachim Kabitz