biphasic cuirass ventilation

Indications

• facilitation of respiration in patients that would otherwise require endotracheal intubation & mechanical ventilation
  • acute respiratory failure
  • COPD exacerbation other
  • neuromuscular disease
  • head injury, spinal cord injury
  • cystic fibrosis
  • AIDS related lung disease
  • asthma exacerbation
  • Ondine's curse
• problems with weaning from positive pressure ventilation
• ventilation during anesthesia in ENT procedures
• post-operative ventilation

Contraindications

• extreme obesity
• burn victims
• open wounds

Procedure

• non invasive method of ventilation
• requires the patient to wear an upper body shell or cuirass
• active control of both inspiration & expiration

Notes

• may also help to maintain & redevelop respiratory muscles which may weaken with respiratory failure & mechanical ventilation

More general terms

• mechanical ventilation (assisted ventilation)