The diaphragm in mechanically-ventilated patients: victim or culprit?
Symposium Chairs: S. Orfanos (Athens, Greece), R. Scala (Arezzo, Italy)
Aims: The audience will gain knowledge about: the effects of both increased workload and of inactivity of the diaphragm, observed during critical illness before and/or after the institution of mechanical ventilation; the mechanisms that regulate these effects; and the possible pharmacological approaches.