Showing papers on "Hypoventilation published in 1977"

Hypoventilation during sleep in children who have lymphoid airway obstruction treated by nasopharyngeal tube and T and A.

Abstract: Three children with sleep apnea, alveolar hypoventilation, apparent mental retardation, and poor growth associated with chronically enlarged tonsils and adenoids were treated with the use of a nasopharyngeal tube followed by tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The effectiveness of this therapy was documented by polygraphic recording of sleep stages and respirations, and by correlation with serial arterial blood gases and pH. The nasopharyngeal tube was well tolerated, easy to use, and effective in diagnosis and treatment. We suggest that its use be further evaluated in patients with obstructive apnea.

Familial primary chronic type ventilation

Abstract: Primary hypoventilation (Ondine's curse), due to diminished sensitivity ofthe respiratory center to CO2, is very rare. Up to now only a few patients have been observed, ten of whom were children. Familial occurrence was reported in 1976 for the first time. The cases are described of a 10-year-old girl and her mother who both showed the typical clinical and pathophysiological symptoms. Our own observation also suggests that this unknown defect of respiratory regulation could be inherited. Sedation, anesthesia, or severe respiratory tract infection are life-threatening situations in these patients. Pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure are possible long-term complications.

Myotonic dystrophy and acute respiratory insufficiency

Abstract: Myotonic dystrophy or Steinert's disease may be discovered during acute respiratory failure, sometimes caused by a general anaesthetic. It complicates chronic respiratory failure which is present in almost all cases, both restrictive and obstructive, the clinical signs of which progress with the myopathy. Apart from myotonic degeneration of the respiratory muscles, a hypoventilation syndrome of central origin has been described, but the etiology of this respiratory failure is dominated by repeated aspiration pneumonia favoured by constant dysphagia and passage of food into the trachea and poor cough reflex. One should attempt to correct this.