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Repeated Vital Capacity Measurements as Predictive Parameters for Mechanical Ventilation Need and Weaning Success in the Guillain-Barré Syndrome

1991; American Thoracic Society; Volume: 144; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1164/ajrccm/144.4.814

2376-3752

Jean-Claude Chevrolet, Philippe DeléAmont,

Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies

In Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), respiratory failure is a life-threatening complication, and its occurrence may be difficult to predict. We studied prospectively 10 patients with GBS by serial measurements of pulmonary function and arterial blood gases from the time they were admitted to hospital. Five patients developed respiratory failure and had to be intubated, whereas the other five developed no ventilatory impairment. VC measurements were very useful in predicting respiratory failure several days before intubation. In patients who were eventually intubated, VC decreased during the 48 h preceding the occurrence of respiratory failure and intubation, which was required when VC was 15.2 ± 3.7 ml/kg body weight (BW). In nonintubated patients, VC was stable and > 40 ml/kg BW. In addition, VC measurements allowed us to determine the beginning of the weaning procedure (no weaning trial could be performed successfully when VC was < 7 ml/kg BW), to rationally follow its course, and to choose the time for extubation, i.e., when VC was > 15 ml/kg BW.