Weaning ALS patients from mechanical ventilation with low NIF/MIP

By Edda Avila posted 08-01-2017 01:04

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Hello,
Recently we had a patient with ALS who's ABG's CXR, weaning parameters and labs were within acceptable ranges with exception of her NIF which was -6. Patient was awake, alert following commands , normal vitals and communicating with eyes prior extubation on CPAP, we extubated her and had to place her on BIPAP because she started to desaturate and mild increase of WOB. She will probably need to be reintubated and discuss trach options. Any thoughts on how to improve her NIF/MIP prior extubation?
Thank you,
Edda Avila

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Eddie Hinnant

12-16-2017 01:44

Any follow up , data ?

Cathy Watts

11-09-2017 13:24

My father died of ALS. I immediately called the Keith Worthington Society, as they are the experts on this particularly dreadful disease. They told me that NOTHING will improve. Once function is lost there is nothing to be done. You can confer with the neurologist, but weaning and ALS patient is probably not a reasonable goal. That NIF will not improve.

Cathy Watts RRT-RPFT

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