TY - JOUR T1 - Changes in respiratory status after specialized pulmonary rehabiliation in patients with high cervical spinal cord injury JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA3581 VL - 58 IS - suppl 65 SP - PA3581 AU - Clara Yewon Lee AU - Jihyun Park AU - Jang Woo Lee AU - Han Eol Cho AU - Won Ah Choi AU - Seong-Woong Kang Y1 - 2021/09/05 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/58/suppl_65/PA3581.abstract N2 - 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.FootnotesCite 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). ER -