The use of mechanical ventilation via a nasal mask in myotonic dystrophy.
A 36-year-old woman with myotonic dystrophy presented with generalized weakness and daytime somnolence. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed significant hypoxemia and hypercapnia, and a polysomnogram revealed additional oxygen desaturation during sleep. For nocturnal ventilatory assistance, the patient received positive-pressure ventilation via a nasal mask. This mode of ventilation produced marked improvement in the patient's nocturnal hypoxemia.
Jubran
A
A
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Edward Hines Jr, Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Ill. 60141.
D'Alonzo
G E
GE
Tobin
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008397:Masks; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000628:therapy*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*