Early Mechanical Ventilation for Guillain Barré Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to determine whether early mechanical ventilation can prevent hospital acquired pneumonia in adults with Guillain Barré Syndrome.

Hospital acquired pneumonia is a common and severe complication of Guillain Barré Syndrome. Several factors have been recognized as predictors of respiratory failure in adults with Guillain Barré Syndrome. They include a time from disease onset and patient admission of less seven days, inability to lift head, impaired swallowing and a forced vital capacity of less than 60% of predictive value. We reasonned that early mechanical ventilation may prevent aspiration which is likely the main cause of pneumonia in these patients.

Non invasive mechanical ventilation at least 6 hours per day - if difficult swallowing, tracheal intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation

Inclusion Criteria: Guillain Barré Syndrome Age of 18 years old or more Inability to lift head Time from onset of motor deficit less than 7 days Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Glasgow coma score of less than 8 Unstable hemodynamic status Current pneumonia Pregnancy

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