Abstract
We report a method of evaluation of weaning of the ventilator for the entire day for ventilatordependent patients with high cervical spinal cord injury. Two hospitalized patients with high cervical spinal cord injury were evaluated using polysomnography. Both patients had already had the ventilator removed during the daytime. The patients were evaluated by three doctors and one engineer to determine whether the ventilator could be removed during the nighttime. The state of breath using a chest and abdomen sensor and the state of sleep using electroencephalggraphy were observed. The ventilator was removed after sleep was confirmed by electroencephalography and the state of breathing was observed. For the patient who developed sleep apnea during this evaluation, it was judged difficult to remove the ventilator during the night. For the patient who continued sleeping without apnea, it was judged possible to remove the ventilator for the entire day. These cases suggest that this evaluation method is useful for determining weaning of the ventlator.
