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Respiratory therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A primer
Author(s) -
Gruis Kirsten L.,
Lechtzin Noah
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.23282
Subject(s) - medicine , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , intensive care medicine , respiratory system , pulmonologists , noninvasive ventilation , quality of life (healthcare) , exsufflation , respiratory failure , mechanical ventilation , anesthesia , disease , insufflation , nursing
Respiratory complications are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Treatment of respiratory insufficiency with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) improves ALS patients' quality of life and survival. Evidence‐based practice guidelines for the management of ALS patients recommend treatment of respiratory insufficiency with NIV as well as consideration of insufflation/exsufflation to improve clearance of airway secretions. Despite these recommendations respiratory therapies remain underused. In this review we provide a practical guide for the clinician to prescribe and manage respiratory therapies for the patient with ALS. Muscle Nerve 46: 313–331, 2012