Antonaglia, Caterina and Garuti, Giancarlo and Torregiani, Chiara (2014) Management of patients with neuromuscular disorders and acute respiratory failure. Shortness of Breath, 3 (4). pp. 181-189. ISSN 2281-6550
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Abstract
Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in most advanced neuromuscular disorders (NMD). Deterioration of lung function during NMD may have different severity and time course. During slowly progressive neuromuscular disease an acute event can precipitate the respiratory failure, while rapidly progressive NMD may present as ARF at the onset of the disease. During ARF a patient with NMD may be affected by inspiratory muscles weakness responsible for decreased ventilation, expiratory muscles weakness responsible for altered coughing effectiveness, and bulbar involvement responsible for altered swallowing and airway protection. Neuromuscular disorders may also affect central control of breathing, sleep disorder, bones and joints deformities with consequent ventilatory dysfunction. Usually ARF in NMD is prompted by precipitating factors such as upper airways infections, pneumonia, atelectasis etc. It is important to distinguish respiratory failure due to an acute event or to a rapidly progression of underlying conditions to properly allocate the patient in the more appropriate setting of care. Generally, excessive invasiveness of care must be avoided, and a pro-active early rehabilitation program may help early recovery and minimize complications. Mechanical non invasive positive pressure ventilation(NIPPV) combined with mechanically assisted coughing (MAC) has been established as the standard treatment of severe ARF in NMD. Superiority of NIPPV vs invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) was showed in term of lower mortality, treatment failure, duration of ICU in several studies. Home mechanical noninvasive ventilation and MAC may result dramatic reduction in the need for hospitalization and a prolongation of life expectancy of these patients. To avoid the progression of respiratory failure an early identification of respiratory deterioration is needed, as such as prevention of acute episodes. So, especially in the progressive diseases, is very important to monitor respiratory status with periodic lung function tests. Any respiratory tract infection in neuromuscular disease could trigger acute respiratory failure so it is mandatory take any aggressive measures to prevent and treat this complication. Some of principal preventive measures include vaccination against Pneumococcus Pn. and influenza virus, early antibiotic treatment when bacterial infection is suspected, chest physiotherapy for removal airway secretions or mechanical assisted maneuvers to increase cough efficiency. In conclusion, a proactive, preventive approach is the key for optimal management acute respiratory problems in neuromuscular disorders.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | acute respiratory failure; neuromuscular disorders; noninvasive ventilation; mechanically assisted coughing; intensive care unit |
| Subjects: | 600 Tecnologia - Scienze applicate > 610 Medicina e salute (Classificare qui la tecnologia dei servizi medici) |
| Depositing User: | Marina Spanti |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Jan 2016 17:27 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Jan 2016 17:27 |
| URI: | http://eprints.bice.rm.cnr.it/id/eprint/10529 |
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