Acute respiratory failure in neuromuscular disorders

Abstract

Respiratory failure can be the presenting symptom of a neuromuscular disorder or occur in a patient with a known neuromuscular disorder. The signs and management of respiratory failure in these patients can be different than in patients with acute respiratory failure of other etiologies. This chapter will review the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment and prevention of acute respiratory failure in neuromuscular disorders.