Respiratory failure in Guillain-Barré syndrome: a 6-year experience
Gracey, D.R.; McMichan, J.C.; Divertie, M.B.; Howard, F.M.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings 57(12): 742-746
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-6196 PMID: 7144253 Document Number: 186520
Patients (79) with acute Guillain-Barre syndrome were seen during a 6-yr period. Twenty-one were admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit, where they remained for 58 .+-. 26 days (range 14-105 days). Thirteen patients required nasotracheal intubation followed by tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. The tracheostomy tube was in place for an average of 50 .+-. 27 days (range 10-104). Four patients had complications of tracheostomy; 2 of these were significant and 1 of them led directly to the patient's death. There were no complications due to mechanical ventilation, from which 11 patients were successfully weaned after a mean period of 37 .+-. 29 days (range 7-93). Three of the 79 patients (3.8%) died of complications of their disease or its treatment. Respiratory failure in this condition is protracted and its complications are mainly those of prolonged endotracheal intubation with a tracheostomy tube.