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Oximetry and Indications for Tracheotomy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis^*

^* From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Drs. Bach and Aufiero), University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, the New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ; and the Rehabilitation Medicine Service (Dr. Bianchi), Fondazione Istituto Sacra Famiglia, Milano, Italy.

Correspondence to: John R. Bach, MD, FCCP, Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital B-403, 150 Bergen St, Newark, NJ 07103; e-mail: bachjr{at}umdnj.edu

Study objective: To explore the use of oximetry as a guide for using respiratory aids and tracheotomy in the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Setting: A retrospective review of all ALS patients presenting to a neuromuscular disease clinic since 1996.

Methods: Patients who were symptomatic for nocturnal hypoventilation were prescribed noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Patients with assisted cough peak flows of < 300 L/min were prescribed oximeters and access to mechanically assisted coughing (MAC) to prevent or reverse decreases in baseline pulse oximetric saturation (SpO₂) levels of < 95%. The number of decreases in baseline SpO₂ that could be normalized by any combination of NIV and MAC and the duration of normalization were recorded. When the baseline was not or could not be normalized, the time to acute respiratory failure and tracheotomy or death were recorded.

Results: Twenty-five patients became dependent on NIV, including 13 patients who received NIV continuously for a mean (± SD) period of 19.7 ± 16.9 months, without desaturation (group 1). For another 76 patients, the daytime baseline SpO₂ level decreased to < 95% 78 times. For 41 patients, the baseline level was corrected by NIV/MAC (group 2) for a mean duration of 11.1 ± 8.7 months before desaturation reoccurred for 27 patients. Of the latter patients, 11 underwent tracheotomy, 14 died in < 2 months, and 2 had their condition again corrected by the addition of MAC therapy. For 35 patients, the desaturation was not or could not be normalized (group 3). Thirty-three of these 35 patients required tracheotomy or died within 2 months. The only significant difference between groups 1 and 2 and group 3 was significantly poorer glottic function in the patients in group 3.

Conclusion: Tracheotomy or death is highly likely within 2 months of a decrease in baseline SpO₂ that cannot be corrected by NIV or MAC. The long-term use of NIV and MAC, and the avoidance of tracheotomy is dependent on glottic function rather than on inspiratory or expiratory muscle failure.

Key Words: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis • mechanical insufflation-exsufflation • noninvasive mechanical ventilation • oximetry • survival • tracheostomy

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Servera and J. Sancho Appropriate Management of Respiratory Problems Is of Utmost Importance in the Treatment of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Chest, June 1, 2005; 127(6): 1879 - 1882. [Full Text] [PDF]