Lernia GD Author
Subjects of specialization
Affiliation
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Mechanical ventilation; Hypercapnia
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine
Lernia GD Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine “G. Baccelli”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy |
Review Article Open Access
Author(s): Solimando AG, Ciccol S, Lernia GD, Leonel P, D’Errico E, Schneider A, Fritz G, Brienza N, Racanelli V and Vacca A
Subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can have fast or slow evolution. Precocious diagnosis significantly impacts on natural history, even though the prognosis remains severe, indeed the mortality rate at 5 years is higher than 80%. Progressive weakness of bulbar, limb, and respiratory muscles is characteristic. Death generally occurs from 2 to 4 years following symptom onset, primarily owing to respiratory failure. Treatments for respiratory aspects of ALS are evolving. This manuscript that recapitulates the current indications is aimed to define a rational basis for a patientoriented approach to treatment of ALS, mainly focused on noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV).
... view moreĀ»