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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

3D Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Respiratory Motion in Mechanically Ventilated Mice and Rats
Published on: September 19, 2025
Avoiding Respiratory and Peripheral Muscle Injury During Mechanical Ventilation: Diaphragm-Protective Ventilation and
Annia Schreiber1, Michele Bertoni2, Ewan C Goligher3
1Respiratory Intensive Care Unit and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Scientific Institute of Pavia, Via Salvatore Maugeri 10, Pavia 27100, Italy.
Abstract:
Both limb muscle weakness and respiratory muscle weakness are exceedingly common in critically ill patients. Respiratory muscle weakness prolongs ventilator dependence, predisposing to nosocomial complications and death. Limb muscle weakness persists for months after discharge from intensive care and results in poor long-term functional status and quality of life. Major mechanisms of muscle injury include critical illness polymyoneuropathy, sepsis, pharmacologic exposures, metabolic derangements, and excessive muscle loading and unloading. The diaphragm may become weak because of excessive unloading (leading to atrophy) or because of excessive loading (either concentric or eccentric) owing to insufficient ventilator assistance.
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