The International journal of artificial organs
-
Review
Artificial placenta--lung assist devices for term and preterm newborns with respiratory failure.
Respiratory insufficiency is a major cause of neonatal mortality and long-term morbidity, especially in very low birth weight infants. Today, non-invasive and mechanical ventilation are commonly accepted procedures to provide respiratory support to newborns, but they can reach their limit of efficacy. ⋯ However, there has been a recent renaissance of this concept, including developments of its major components like the oxygenator, vascular access via umbilical vessels, flow control, as well as methods to achieve hemocompatibility in extracorporeal circuits. This paper gives a review of past and current development, animal experiments and human case studies of artificial placenta technology.
-
Patients with the congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) suffer from life-threatening hypoventilation when asleep, making them dependent on mechanical ventilation (MV) at night or during naps. State-of-art respiratory management consists of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation via a tracheotomy or mask. In some patients hypoventilation is permanent, in which case ventilatory support must be extended to the waking hours. Diaphragm pacing can prove useful in such situations. ⋯ Diaphragm pacing appears likely effective to restore alveolar ventilation and reverse PH in adult CCHS patients.