Respiratory problems in neuromuscular disease

Abstract

Introduction 238 Assessment 239 Treatment 240 A variety of neuromuscular disorders may affect the ventilatory pump at different sites (Table 37.1). Most of these disorders result in respiratory muscle weakness, which results in alveolar hypoventilation and impaired cough. Patients with known neuromuscular disease may present acutely with a presentation related to their underlying neuromuscular disease (such as infection) or occasionally in end-stage ventilatory failure....