Perianesthetic Implications and Considerations for Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease in which antibodies against the post-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction develop. Although the exact cause of MG remains unknown, the thymus is a common factor in many cases. Patients with underlying junctional disease, such as MG, have greater anesthesia-related risks because of their known predisposition toward prolonged muscle weakness. Medications given in the perioperative period, such as anesthetic agents, antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, and corticosteroids, affect neuromuscular transmission that contributes to muscle weakness.
Source: Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Continuing Education Source Type: research