Roy T M, Walker J F, Farrow J R
Division of Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY 40292.
J Ky Med Assoc. 1991 Apr;89(4):169-73.
Dysphagia and respiratory muscle weakness are the two most potentially dangerous findings in patients with neuromuscular disease because they predispose to aspiration pneumonia and respiratory failure. Myasthenia gravis is unique among the neuromuscular disorders for the variety of exacerbating factors that may lead to such clinical deterioration. While the major cause of ventilatory failure remains intensification of the underlying autoimmune process, well intentioned therapy may also lead to situations that necessitate ventilatory support. This report describes a patient with myasthenia gravis and respiratory failure and reviews the various etiologies of pulmonary dysfunction that are associated with the natural course of this disease and its treatment.
吞咽困难和呼吸肌无力是神经肌肉疾病患者中两个最具潜在危险的表现，因为它们易引发吸入性肺炎和呼吸衰竭。重症肌无力在神经肌肉疾病中独具特点，存在多种可能导致此类临床恶化的加重因素。虽然通气衰竭的主要原因仍是潜在自身免疫过程的加剧，但善意的治疗也可能导致需要通气支持的情况。本报告描述了一名重症肌无力合并呼吸衰竭的患者，并回顾了与该疾病自然病程及其治疗相关的各种肺功能障碍病因。
