DIAPHRAGM STRENGTH AND LUNG VOLUMES

Our ultimate objective is to create a correction factor for adjusting values of diaphragm strength obtained from measurements of pressure generated by PNS performed at various EELV induced by different levels of PEEP. This correction factor will be derived from the slope of the relationship between PEEP/EELV and diaphragm strength. The initial development of the correction factor will be conducted in healthy individuals, and its applicability will be assessed in mechanically ventilated patients. To achieve this, the investigators will compare the relationship between PEEP/EELV and diaphragm strength, measured through PNS, between both healthy subjects and individuals undergoing mechanical ventilation.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This will be a physiological observational study

Study design. Healthy participants and patients will breathe on CPAP with a ventilator. The investigators will deliver the PNS at PEEP levels of zero cmH2O (baseline EELV), zero cmH2O + an abdominal binder (to reduce lung volume), five cmH2O and ten cmH2O. The abdominal binder will be used to achieve an EELV lower than at baseline. At the end of the protocol another PNS at zero cmH2O (baseline EELV) will be performed. Healthy participants will be exposed to the different levels of PEEP from 2 to 5 minutes before each PNS is performed.

At every PEEP level, relative changes in EELV (∆z) will be measured with Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) to record relative changes in EELV and the electrical activity of the costal diaphragm will be measured using surface electromyography . The (potentiated) PNS will be performed by bilateral anterior magnetic stimulation. Potentiation will be achieved by performing a maximum inspiratory pressure maneuver (MIP; healthy volunteers).

For patients. The investigators will perform PNS at the patients own mode of ventilation at their clinical level of PEEP (baseline EELV), PEEP of zero cmH2O (if acceptable for 5 minutes), clinical PEEP ± 2 - 4 cmH2O. At the end of the protocol, another stimulation at the clinical level of PEEP (baseline EELV) will be performed. Patients will be exposed to the different levels of PEEP from 2 to 5 minutes before each PNS is performed. At every PEEP level, relative changes in EELV (∆z) will be measured with Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) to record relative changes in EELV and the electrical activity of the costal diaphragm will be measured using surface electromyography . The PNS will be performed by bilateral anterior magnetic stimulation. Potentiation, when possible (patients triggering the ventilator), will be achieved by performing an end-expiratory occlusion maneuver on the ventilator for up to 30 sec or at least 3 inspiratory efforts.

Inclusion criteria

• Inclusion criteria for the healthy participants will be age ≥18 years, no acute or chronic condition impacting respiratory, musculoskeletal or neurological system or that would interfere with the performance of the tests; body mass index <35 kg/m2 and sufficient English fluency to provide informed consent and to follow the study protocols.
• Inclusion criteria for patients will be intubation for more than 6 hours, triggering or not the ventilator (any mode of ventilation).

Exclusion criteria

• Exclusion criteria for the healthy participants will be contraindication for PNS (e.g., cardiac pacemaker or implanted defibrillator, cervical implants), contraindication for a nasogastric tube (e.g., esophageal varices, recent nasal bleeding)and pregnancy.
• Exclusion criteria for patients will be primary contraindication for magnetic PNS, severe neurological disorders, pregnancy, current use of continuous neuromuscular blocking agents at the time of the study procedure, P/F ratio <120, unstable hemodynamics (2 vasopressors), monitored ICP.