Acute neuromuscular respiratory failure: a population-based study of aetiology and outcome in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Inflammatory and degenerative neuromuscular conditions can present in acute NMRF. Long-term outcome is good and MR is low, and significantly better than in other neurology patients requiring ICU admission despite longer ICU stay.

Diagnosis and Management of Myasthenia Gravis

“…Weak cough, difficulty in clearing secretions, and neck muscle weakness are possible predictors of extubation failure. Patience is paramount with these patients, as most will recover with appropriate treatment and time 86 …”

“…Patience is paramount with these patients, as most will recover with appropriate treatment and time. 86…”

Does non‐invasive ventilation compared to invasive ventilation improve short term survival for acute respiratory failure in people with neuromuscular disease and chest wall disorders? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary

“…Acute respiratory failure is the most common life‐threatening complication among patients with neuromuscular diseases and chest wall disorders . The main mechanisms of acute respiratory failure among these populations include: (1) weakness or paralysis of the diaphragm and accessory respiratory muscles resulting in acute alveolar hypoventilation; (2) oropharyngeal weakness with upper airway obstruction; (3) ineffective cough resulting in accumulation of bronchial secretions with pulmonary atelectasis (collapse of segments of the lung due to the interruption of airflow by sputum in the bronchia), hypoxaemia, and infection; and (4) bulbar dysfunction with impaired swallowing and aspiration pneumonia .…”

Lung function tests in patients with neuromuscular disorders: how, when and why? Lung function tests in patients with neuromuscular disorders: how, when and why?

“…In childhood the most common neuromuscular disorders are Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy. Both conditions start early during childhood, but nowadays last up to the third or even the forth decade of life (1)(2)(3). In adulthood heterogeneous forms of NMD can occur with different progression rate.…”

“…In adulthood heterogeneous forms of NMD can occur with different progression rate. There are conditions with fast deterioration such as motoneuron diseases (1) and diseases with temporary critical conditions such as in the critical state of myasthenia gravis (2). It is important in terms of quality of life and mortality to assess the muscle weakness and also to define the rate of the progression.…”