Early signs of critical illness polyneuropathy in ICU patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate with electromyography the incidence and the time of appearance of neuromuscular abnormality in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and/or sepsis.


METHODS
Follow-up study.


METHODS
Intensive care unit of Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.


METHODS
Nine mechanically ventilated patients with SIRS and/or sepsis.


METHODS
Electromyography and conduction velocity measurements on the 2nd-5th day after admission to the intensive care unit.


RESULTS
In all nine patients electromyography revealed signs of neuromuscular abnormality. The means of compound muscle action potential amplitudes of the median and ulnar nerves were decreased. Fibrillation was observed in four patients out of nine.


CONCLUSIONS
Because neuromuscular abnormalities seem to develop earlier than previously reported, electroneuromyography should be used more frequently as a diagnostic test.
Tennilä
A
A
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. arto.tennila@pel.hel.fi
Salmi
T
T
Pettilä
V
V
Roine
R O
RO
Varpula
T
T
Takkunen
O
O
D000328:Adult; D016638:Critical Illness; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000150:complications; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000150:complications*