Ventilator-Induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Role of Pharmacological Agents

The use of controlled mechanical ventilation results in a major reduction of diaphragmatic contractile force together with atrophy of diaphragm muscle fibers, which is a condition known as ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction. Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction is one of the major contributors to weaning difficulties and even increased mortality. This review summarizes the current data on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, and it outlines the use of ultrasonography for diaphragm evaluation. In addition, current pharmacologic agents used to mitigate ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction are described, with a particular emphasis on the therapeutic potential of theophylline in patients with ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction-associated weaning difficulties.