[Our first experiences with intermittent assisted ventilation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is one of the most frequent neuromuscular diseases in adults. Chronic respiratory failures is an almost compulsory symptom in the progression of this disease, and in association with pulmonary infections, responsible for the majority of deaths. We report on a series of 43 patients. An advanced stage of clinical disease was seen in half of them. After detection of respiratory failure corresponding to the guidelines of muscle centres of the DGM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Muskelerkrankungen), seven patients (16.3%) were willing to be provided with a system for intermittent non-invasive ventilation. All patients achieved stabilisation of respiratory function, both with respect to the normalisation of arterial gases and subjective improvement of well-being. During the course of treatment four patients deliberately underwent permanent invasive ventilation. In our opinion home ventilation is a valid additional tool in the palliative treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The treatment, however, must be supported by an interdisciplinary team.