ABSTRACT

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of the nicotinic acetylcholin receptors at the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. Myasthenic crisis, defined as respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation is a common life-threatening complication that occur approximately 15% to 20% of patients with MG. Endotracheal intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation have a number of complications and a high mortality. On the other hand, noninvasive mechanical ventilation is being successfully used in many pulmonary and neuromuscular diseases . There are few reports about the use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation in myasthenic crisis. We present a case with myasthenic crisis who was treated with noninvasive mechanical ventilation. (Journal of the Turkish Society Intensive Care 2012; 10: 20-2)

Keywords: Myasthenic crisis, noninvasive mechanical ventilation, acute respiratory failure