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Effect PEEP on Diaphragm

The Effects of Positive End-expiratory Pressure on the Position, Length and Contractibility of the Diaphragm.

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03539640
Enrollment
22
Registered
2018-05-29
Start date
2018-04-13
Completion date
2019-05-01
Last updated
2020-05-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Diaphragm Disease

Keywords

PEEP, Diaphragm

Brief summary

This study evaluates the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on the position, length and function of the diaphragm. During the first part of the study, physiological measurements of the diaphragm will be performed while participants receive non-invasive ventilation at different PEEP levels. During the second part of the study, MRI measurements of the diaphragm will be performed during a change in PEEP level.

Detailed description

In almost all mechanically ventilated patients, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is used. Its function is to prevent alveolar collapse and to maintain oxygenation. However, it has recently been found that PEEP may contribute to diaphragm weakness, which is an important problem in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study showed that mechanical ventilation with PEEP resulted in a caudal displacement of the diaphragm, since PEEP increases the end-expiratory volume. Furthermore, their study in rats showed that this displacement resulted in a reduced fiber length and sarcomere length on the short term. After rats were ventilated with PEEP for 18 hours, it was found that adaptation of the diaphragm occurred; i.e. the number of sarcomeres were decreased. It is hypothesized that this adaptation may also occur in mechanically ventilated patients. This could lead to problems in weaning a patient off the ventilator, as PEEP is abruptly removed during a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). This leads to a reduction in end-expiratory volume which would mean that the newly-adapted diaphragm fibers are being stretched. These stretched muscle fibers are not working at their optimal length of the force-length relation, thereby contributing to diaphragm weakness.

Interventions

OTHERPEEP: 5 cmH2O

During second part of the study (MRI)

OTHERPEEP: 10 cmH2O

During second part of the study (MRI)

OTHERPEEP: 15 cmH2O

During second part of the study (MRI)

Sponsors

Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

The assessor of the MRI measurements will analyze the MRI data in a blinded fashion. The rest of the outcomes will not be analyzed in a blinded fashion.

Intervention model description

All participants will receive the same protocol with different levels of PEEP ventilation during the first part of the study (physiological part), so the interventional study model for this part is single group. During the second part (MRI), participants are randomized for one of the three available PEEP levels (5, 10 or 15 cmH2O), so the study model for this part is parallel.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Signed informed consent * Age ≥ 18 years

Exclusion criteria

* Symptoms relating to respiratory or cardiovascular disease * History of pneumothorax or family history of primary pneumothorax * Obesity (defined as BMI \> 30kg/m²) * Known pregnancy * Contraindications for the placement of a nasogastric tube (upper airway/esophageal/gastric/mouth or face pathology (e.g. recent surgery, esophageal varices, diaphragmatic hernia), nasal bleeding within the last 2 weeks or use of anticoagulants) * Contraindications for MRI (electrical/metallic implants, claustrophobia or history in metalworking) * Subjects who are employed at the department of intensive care adults, directly involved in the study and/or family from staff of the ICU.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes in diaphragm's position2 hoursChanges in the position of the diaphragm during different PEEP levels, as measured with both ultrasound and MRI
Changes in diaphragm's shape and length2 hoursChanges of the diaphragm's shape and length during different PEEP levels, as measured with MRI
Changes in diaphragm's efficiency2 hoursChanges in the neuro-mechanical efficiency of the diaphragm (ratio between pressure and electrical muscle activity) during different PEEP levels, as measured with a nasogastric catheter
Change in twitch transdiaphragmatic pressures2 hoursTwitch transdiaphragmatic pressures during different PEEP levels, as measured with magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Difference between MRI and ultrasound2 hoursThe difference between diaphragm parameters obtained by ultrasound and parameters obtained by MRI

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Expiratory abdominal muscle activity2 hoursExpiratory abdominal muscle activity during different levels of PEEP measured with surface EMG electrodes
Flow2 hoursFlow during different levels of PEEP measured by the non-invasive ventilator

Countries

Netherlands

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026