Neuromuscular disease in respiratory and critical care medicine.

Neuromuscular diseases that affect the respiratory system are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both acute and long-term settings. This conference examined the pathophysiology and management of neuromuscular diseases in both settings. Presentations by experts representing respiratory, physiologic, pediatric, neurologic, and intensive-care disciplines covered a broad range of topics. This summary of the conference briefly describes the main points of each presentation and highlights areas that need addressing in the future. Major topics covered include the basic respiratory pathophysiology of neuromuscular disease; respiratory complications and management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; techniques of noninvasive ventilation and secretion removal; and evaluation and management of neuromuscular-induced respiratory failure in the acute-care setting, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenic crisis, and critical-illness myoneuropathy.