Complement inhibition initiated recovery of a severe myasthenic crisis with COVID-19.

We report on a patient with refractory Myasthenia gravis with acetylcholine receptor antibodies with two prior myasthenic crises suffering from COVID-19 with rapid evolving weakness and respiratory failure. Respiratory failure developed and prolonged mechanical ventilation was necessary. After plasmapheresis, residual, severe generalized and bulbar weakness persisted.

[Weaning from mechanical ventilation. Weaning categories and weaning concepts].

The international classification of three weaning categories (simple weaning, difficult weaning, prolonged weaning) has been modified in the German weaning guidelines: the group of prolonged weaning has been subclassified into weaning without noninvasive ventilation (NIV), weaning with NIV, if necessary with continuing NIV in the form of home mechanical ventilation, and weaning failure.Strategies to prevent prolonged weaning comprise daily interruption of sedation, daily screening of capability of spontaneous breathing by a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) and early implementation of NIV instead of continuing invasive mechanical ventilation especially in hypercapnic patients. The comorbidity left heart failure plays a major role in weaning failure and need for re-intubation-in this case early diagnosis and if necessary modification of heart therapy are important.

[Weaning from mechanical ventilation. A survey of the situation in pneumologic respiratory facilities in Germany].

Background And Objective: The prevalence of difficult or prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation is increasing because of a growing number of elderly patients with multiple diseases and pulmonary problems requiring mechanical ventilation. Intensive care units (ICU) are inclined to refer to specialized unit those patients who are difficult to wean. A nationwide survey of German facilities was conducted and this article reports the current state of weaning centers staffed by chest physicians.

[Ventilation and analgo-sedation].

Every patient receiving invasive mechanical ventilation needs an adequate analgesia and sedation. Based on validated scores, the individual titration of sedation and analgesia aims to maximise patient comfort and optimise patient-ventilator synchrony. By regular re-evaluation (e.

[Principles and function of mechanical ventilation: classification and modes of ventilators].

A spectrum of diseases is associated with the necessity for partial or total support of pulmonary ventilation. The insight into the function of ventilators and their modes reduces the spectrum of ventilatory support to a few basic principles. The knowledge enables the pulmonary intensivist to adapt mechanical ventilation to the individual patient's needs.