Myasthenic Crisis

Wendell, Linda C. MD
Levine, Joshua M. MD

¹Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadephia, PA
²Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Joshua M. Levine, MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurology, 3 West Gates, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Email: [email protected]

The Neurohospitalist 1(1):p 16-22, January 2011. | DOI: 10.1177/1941875210382918

Myasthenic crisis is a complication of myasthenia gravis characterized by worsening of muscle weakness, resulting in respiratory failure that requires intubation and mechanical ventilation. Advances in critical care have improved the mortality rate associated with myasthenic crisis. This article reviews the epidemiology of myasthenic crisis and discusses patient evaluation. Therapeutic options including mechanical ventilation and pharmacological and surgical treatments are also discussed.