Domiciliary-assisted ventilation in patients with myotonic dystrophy

Respiratory failure is found in many neuromuscular diseases, even when the lungs may be healthy, because of an inadequacy of the ventilatory pump. Long-term domiciliary ventilation is a well-established treatment in conditions such as postpoliomyelitis; however, its use in patients with respiratory failure secondary to myotonic dystrophy has not been well described. The purpose of this study was to review the use of domiciliary-assisted ventilation in these patients and to assess their response to treatment.

Descriptive analysis of retrospective and prospective clinical data.

Inpatient, noninvasive respiratory-care unit in a tertiary referral center.

Sixteen patients with myotonic dystrophy, 13 of whom required ventilatory support.

A retrospective study of all patients with myotonic dystrophy referred for assessment for assisted ventilation was performed, including results of arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests, and overnight oxygen saturation and transcutaneous carbon dioxide levels. A prospective reassessment of all patients established on domiciliary ventilation was performed, including measurements of quality of life.

Results of arterial blood gas analysis showed a fall in mean PaCO(2) from 64.3 to 53.8 mm Hg (p < 0.05) on discharge after starting ventilation and a rise in mean PaO(2) from 53.0 to 65.3 mm Hg (p < 0.05). There were three deaths, at 5 months, 32 months, and 57 months, respectively. The survivors received assisted ventilation for a mean period of 27 months (range, 2 to 76 months). At reassessment, improvements in arterial blood gas levels were maintained, with mean PaCO(2) of 52.4 mm Hg and PaO(2) of 59.0 mm Hg. Mean overnight mean arterial oxygen saturation rose from 80.5 to 90.3% after the start of treatment (p < 0.001) and was maintained at 90.4% at reassessment. Mean transcutaneous PCO(2) during sleep fell from 59.3 to 41.4 mm Hg (p < 0.05), and to 43.7 mm Hg at reassessment. There were no significant changes in spirometry or maximum mouth pressures. Compliance with treatment for our test group was lower than compliance in a group of age- and sex-matched postpoliomyelitis patients.

Use of domiciliary-assisted ventilation in patients with myotonic dystrophy is associated with prolonged survival and a sustained improvement in arterial blood gas tensions.