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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2002; 23(3): 239-247
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33032
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Respiratory Complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Joshua O. Benditt
  • University of Washington Medical Center, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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Publication History

Publication Date:
02 August 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cure. Involvement of muscles of the respiratory system, the inspiratory, expiratory, and upper airway muscles, is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Dyspnea, swallowing difficulties, sialorrhea, and impaired cough are all symptoms that can be palliated with pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in particular is a technique to assist ventilation that not only relieves dyspnea and ameliorates respiratory failure but may also extend the lives of patients with this disease. It should be offered to all ALS patients with a forced vital capacity of less than 50%.

KEYWORDS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - motor neuron disease - respiratory failure - mechanical ventilation - noninvasive positive pressure ventilation - palliative care

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