Usefulness of pulmonary function tests and blood gases in acute neuromuscular respiratory failure

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2011.03539.x
• Publication Date: 2011-10-04T13:57:41Z
• Authors: M. Cabrera Serrano; A. A. Rabinstein
• Keywords: Acute respiratory failure; Blood gas analysis

Background and purpose: Define the usefulness of pulmonary function tests (PFT) arterial blood gases (ABG) in patients admitted to ICU with acute neuromuscular respiratory failure (NMRF). Methods: We reviewed 76 an at Mayo Clinic (Rochester) between 2003 2009 NMRF defined as need for mechanical ventilation (MV) because primary impairment peripheral nervous system. Poor functional outcome was a modified Rankin score >3. Results: Median age 65 years. The most frequent diagnosis myasthenia gravis (25 patients); 54% had no known before admission, 11% specific discharge. MV time 16 days; 14% died during hospitalization, 63% were severely disabled Maximal expiratory pressure ≤30 cm H 2 O maximal inspiratory (MIP) worse than −28 associated invasive longer 7 days ( P = 0.02). Indicators chronic acidosis (low pH, high pCO , HCO 3 ) in‐hospital death poor outcome, but mostly progressive, untreatable diagnoses. Conclusions: In NMRF, bedside PFT ABG can be used predict evolution outcome. Lower MIP MEP portend prolonged are more useful forced vital capacity. Presentation is risk mortality severe disability, especially without treatable