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Tetraparetic critically ill patients show electrophysiological signs of myopathy
Author(s) -
Crone Clarissa
Publication year - 2017
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.25525
Subject(s) - myopathy , medicine , weakness , electromyography , electrophysiology , pathophysiology , critically ill , muscle weakness , compound muscle action potential , anesthesia , intensive care unit , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery
ABSTRACT Introduction Critically ill patients often develop tetraparesis. It has been debated whether this is caused by neuropathy, myopathy, or both. The aim was to determine the incidence of myopathy and neuropathy in weak patients in the intensive care unit by performing several electrophysiological examinations, including quantitative electromyography (qEMG). Methods Forty‐nine patients referred for electrophysiological examination because of suspected critical illness‐related weakness underwent qEMG, nerve conduction studies, and direct muscle stimulation. Results The qEMG showed signs of myopathy in 33 of 35 patients. Direct muscle stimulation was consistent with myopathy in 31 of 34 patients. Amplitudes of compound muscle action potentials were decreased in all patients. Four patients also had signs of sensory neuropathy, which could not be explained by preexisting medical conditions. Conclusions When combined, the results are compatible with muscle dysfunction in all patients. This will help to direct future studies of the pathophysiology of this serious condition. Muscle Nerve 56 : 433–440, 2017