Respiratory management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Introduction The care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a very challenging but truly rewarding role for respiratory specialists. ALS is an incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in progressive skeletal muscle weakness. At onset, it generally affects predominantly either limb or bulbar muscles. Rarely, its first presentation can be respiratory failure secondary to early respiratory muscle involvement.