Abstract
Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation with proper assistive ventilatory support and effective secretion management can prevent unnecessary tracheostomy in patients with high cervical spinal cord injury (HCSCI). We aimed to standardize the respiratory management of HCSCI by analyzing changes of respiratory status under the management of professional pulmonary rehabilitation.
Methods: Total 133 Motor complete HCSCI patients with neurological level of injury C1-4 who admitted to the pulmonary rehabilitation center for respiratory insufficiency were included. A retrospective review was conducted on the transitions of the respiratory status after specialized respiratory care.
Results: At initial, 70 needed ventilatory support via tracheostomy(TMV), 43 had tracheostomy without mechanical ventilation, 3 used non-invasive ventilation(NIV) and only 17 patients did not tracheostomy nor ventilatory support. After specialized respiratory care, 27 of 70 TMV users removed tracheostomy and used NIV, 3 weaned off ventilator but maintain tracheostomy, and 11 did not need both tracheostomy and ventilator. Among 43 patient with tracheostomy only, 39 successfully decanulate their tracheostomy.
Conclusion: The respiratory status in HCSCI patients can be improved with appropriate pulmonary rehabilitation. Through the proper management, HCSCI patients can avoid unforeseen tracheostomy by using NIV even for HCSCI.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA3581.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021
