Open AccessNeuromuscular syndromes of the critically ill
Author(s) -
I. García de Gurtubay,
George A. Morales,
O. Olaciregui,
D. Navajas,
B. Carrera
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
anales del sistema sanitario de navarra
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.175
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 2340-3527
pISSN - 1137-6627
DOI - 10.23938/assn.0519
Subject(s) - medicine , neuromuscular blockade , critical illness polyneuropathy , myopathy , weakness , sepsis , intensive care medicine , neuromuscular blocking agents , polyneuropathy , rhabdomyolysis , critically ill , anesthesia , critical illness , surgery
With the continuous improvement in the survival of critical patients, new neuromuscular syndromes are being described. The clinical finding is an acute-subacute onset of generalised weakness with difficulty in weaning the patient from the ventilator, due to polyneuropathy, myopathy, prolonged neuromuscular blockade or a combination of these disorders. Although having a multifactorial ethiopathology, the major risk factors in the development of these disorders are multiple organ failure and sepsis for polyneuropathy; corticosteroids and neuromuscular junction blocking agents (NMB) for myopathy; and NMB and renal and liver failure for prolonged neuromuscular blockade. No specific treatment exists, which is why--due to the high incidence of these syndromes and their poor prognosis, with a mortality rate higher than 50%--we should recognise, diagnose and avoid, where possible, the conditions that help the development of these disorders.