Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy; a neuromuscular disorder encountered in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Patients with neuromuscular disorders encountered on the ICU can be divided into two main categories. One category has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to an underlying neuromuscular disorder, mainly the Guillam Barre Syndrome ( GBS) and myasthenia gravis. The other category develops a so-called acquired neuromuscular disorder during their stay on the ICU after admission for other reasons (multi-trauma, severe infections, (multiple) organ dysfunction, etcetera). In these patients the neurological symptoms mainly consist of muscle weakness, wasting, and difficulties in weaning from the artificial respirator