Noninvasive ventilation in acute neuromuscular respiratory failure due to myasthenic crisis: case report and review of literature

Abstract

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) refers to the provision of ventilatory support to the lungs, without the use of an endotracheal airway. It has emerged as an important tool in the treatment of acute respiratory failure. It can not only reduce the need for invasive mechanical ventilation and its associated complications, but can also reduce the complications associated with stay in the intensive care unit, length of hospital stay and mortality in selected patients.¹