myasthenic crisis
Last reviewed 01/2018
A myasthenic crisis may result from severe disease or too little cholinesterase inhibition. The patient is unable to maintain an airway or make sufficient respiratory movements and requires ventilation.
A myasthenic crisis may be precipitated by a number of factors including:
- non-compliance with medication
- excessive activity
- infection
- drugs - see under aetiology of myasthenia gravis
All anticholinesterase drugs should be stopped as the patient is often resistant to these drugs whilst undergoing a crisis, and the patient ventilated. Plasmapheresis is often used. Anticholinesterase drugs are re-introduced once the crisis has passed.