A series is reported of five patients with acute respiratory failure complicating neuromuscular diseases, three of whom required assisted ventilation. Initially the arterial carbon dioxide tension fell to levels below the normal range in all the patients and this change reflects alveolar hyperventilation which is probably produced by a combination of fear, small airway collapse, and reflex tach...

Bradykinin and related kinins are peptidic hormones, formed in tissues and fluids during inflammation. Various functional sites have been proposed as mediators of the biological effects of kinins, including the B1, B2 and B3 receptors. The existence of the B1 and the B2 receptor has largely been confirmed, whilst that of the B3 receptor is controversial and needs further confirmation. The role ...

Various neurologic diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson disease can cause pulmonary complications. Pulmonary disorders often manifest late in a neuromuscular disease, but occasionally a respiratory problem may be the first sign. Often the first signs are sleep disturbances and nocturnal desaturation. Although the diseases are diverse, common principles apply in their management.