title: Ventilatory failure in myasthenia gravis.
abstract: This retrospective study over the decade 1969-1978 examines the precipitating factors and outcome in thirty-one patients with myasthenia gravis who developed ventilatory failure. An unusual example of chronic alveolar hypoventilation is discussed in detail. The most favourable outcome occurred in younger patients with a hyperplastic thymus, in contrast to a poorer outlook for older patients with an atrophic gland. Eleven patients died during the period of follow up: three deaths were unrelated to myasthenia but the remaining eight were attributed directly or indirectly to it. The mortality of 36% represents a marked improvement on a 70% mortality in a similar group of patients, reported from this hospital for the years 1960-1968.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D013256:Steroids; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone