Cardiopulmonary Insufficiency in Myotonic and Progressive Muscular Dystrophy

Alveolar hypoventilation and hyperosmnia in myotonic dystrophy.

“…The presence of hypersomnia in myotonic dystrophy may also be explained by the theory that the condition is primary and of central origin (Phemister and Small, 1961;Kilburn et al 1959b) or that it is caused by a reduction in the proprioceptive impulses originating in the respiratory muscles. These impulses have a stimulatory effect on alertness as well as on the respiratory centre (Kilburn et al, 1959a;Gillam et al, 1964).…”

“…Nevertheless, the hypothesis that there is a primary hypoexcitability of the respiratory centre should not be disregarded (Kilburn et al, 1959b).…”

Cardiopulmonary Response to Exercise in Patients with Neuromuscular Diseases

“…Most of the reported data are interpreted as consequences of an insufficient cough ing function due to muscular weakness and restrictive impairment with no indica tion of obstructive elements [1][2][3][4]. Con tradictory ventilatory responses to CO2 have been reported [5,6], The type of re striction is not fully clarified although a reduction in total lung capacity and an in crease in residual volume associated with a loss in muscle strength has been found [6] but with no increase in airway resist ance (Raw). An article that appeared dur ing the preparation of the present paper did not confirm the above association [7].…”

Respiratory Problems Associated with Chest Wall Abnormalities

“…15 The patients studied included patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy and nonmyotonic muscular dystrophy. The patients with nonmyotonic dystrophy showed greater apparent weakness and wasting of the thoracic and pectoral muscles and greater reductions in lung volumes than patients with myotonia.…”