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Electromagnetic ventilation: First evaluation of a new method for artificial ventilation in humans
Author(s) -
Sander Björn H.,
Dieck Thorben,
Homrighausen Felix,
Tschan Christoph A.,
Steffens Jan,
Raymondos Konstantinos
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.21698
Subject(s) - ventilation (architecture) , stimulation , artificial ventilation , medicine , mechanical ventilation , anesthesia , volunteer , physics , lung , respiratory disease , biology , agronomy , thermodynamics
Current methods of artificial ventilation cannot prevent diverse problems associated with mechanical ventilation. In contrast to all current forms of mechanical ventilation, electromagnetic stimulation can activate respiratory muscles directly. However, it is not known if and to what extent electromagnetic stimulation can ventilate humans. In 10 volunteers we stimulated the lateral neck using magnetic stimulators. Over 63 s we stimulated nine times with a frequency of 25 H Z for 1.1 s using 600 V, 900 V, and 1,200 V. The minimum stimulation time for each volunteer was 9 min. A Capnomac monitor measured minute ventilation. Electromagnetic stimulation was well tolerated and safe. Bilateral stimulation with 600 V achieved considerable minute ventilation (median ± SD, 7.2 ± 3.4 L/min) that increased at higher voltage levels ( P < 0.0001). 900 V achieved sufficient minute ventilation in all volunteers (11.5 ± 5.0 L/min; 1200 V, 14.0 ± 4.9 L/min). This first evaluation of electromagnetic ventilation demonstrates that it can be used to ventilate humans sufficiently. This method may be developed to a new mode of ventilation. Muscle Nerve, 2010