Unusual case of central alveolar hypoventilation.
Unusual case of central alveolar hypoventilation.
Saudi Med J. 2018 Mar;39(3):305-310
Authors: AlOtair HA, Alzeer AH, Abdou MA, Qasrawi SO
Abstract
Central alveolar hypoventilation is rarely encountered. This case report describes a young woman who was recently diagnosed with hypertension and ischemic heart disease. She presented to the emergency room with hypercapnic respiratory failure, for which she was mechanically ventilated. This was preceded by an acute upper respiratory tract infection. She was initially suspected to have Guillain-Barré syndrome, but further investigations ruled out neuromuscular or autoimmune disorders. Sleep-related hypoventilation was suspected after she experienced recurrent apneas at night that resulted in re-intubation. Polysomnographic studies confirmed episodes of central apnea and hypopnea during sleep, with significant carbon dioxide retention and oxygen desaturations. She required nocturnal ventilation via a tracheostomy tube until a diaphragmatic pacer could be placed. Using bi-level positive airway pressure and average volume-assured pressure support together with the diaphragmatic pacer, adequate ventilation during sleep was achieved.
PMID: 29543311 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Saudi Medical Journal - Category: Middle East Health Tags: Saudi Med J Source Type: research
More News: Autoimmune Disease | Brain | Cardiology | Emergency Medicine | Guillain-Barr Syndrome | Heart | Heart Disease | Hypertension | Middle East Health | Neurology | Respiratory Medicine | Saudi Arabia Health | Sleep Disorders | Sleep Medicine | Study | Tracheostomy