Evaluation of heepSync, a Novel Algorithm for Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation of Respiratory Muscles in Mechanically Ventilated Patients.

Inclusion criteria

Patient population 1

• Adult patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who have been under controlled mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours prior to enrollment.
• Clinically stable: oxygen saturation > 90% with a fractional inspired oxygen ≤ 0.50, eternal PEEP ≤ 10 cm H2O, temperature ranging from 35.5 to 38.5 ºC, no intravenous administration of vasoactive agents.

Patient population 2

• Adult patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who have been under pressure support mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours prior to enrollment.
• Clinically stable: oxygen saturation > 90% with a fractional inspired oxygen ≤ 0.50, eternal PEEP ≤ 10 cm H2O, temperature ranging from 35.5 to 38.5 ºC, no intravenous administration of vasoactive agents.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients treated with neuromuscular blocking agents
• Patients with neuromuscular disease
• Patients with a pacemaker or past history of arrhythmia
• Patients with physical obstacles that prevent thoracic or abdominal electrostimulation (e.g., abdominal trauma, recent abdominal surgery, polytrauma, broken or irritated skin)
• BMI > 40 kg/m2
• Hemodynamically unstable (noradrenaline >0.1 microgram/kg/min)
• Pregnancy
• Patients under the age of 18
• The formalized ethical decision to withhold or withdraw life support
• Patient under guardianship
• Patients deprived of liberties
• Patients already enrolled in the present study, in a previous episode of acute respiratory failure.
• The patient who does not consent.