MG, MD, MD Flashcards
Most prevalent neuromuscular disorder
Myasthenia gravis
Ranges 3-30 per 1,000,000 people
Demographics of myasthenia gravis patients
Common in elderly
If less than 50, more women than men at a 3:2 ratio
What is myasthenia gravis?
What are the manifestations?
Chronic disease of neuromuscular junction
- Increasing skeletal muscle weakness
- Fatigue of muscles with effort
- Partial restoration of strength/function with rest
Which type of acetylcholine receptors are affected in myasthenia gravis?
Which are normal?
Decreased number of ACh receptors postsynaptically
Prejunctional ACh pool normal
What is found in 80- 85% of myasthenia gravis patiens
Antibodies
Which of these does myasthenia gravis effect?
Motor, sensory, ANS, cognition
Motor only
Which of the motor diseases has increased prevalence when living near the equator?
Myasthenia gravis
How does thymectomy affect myasthenia gravis?
Improve symptoms but not curative
Because there is an unknown promotion pdouction of IgE antibodies that the thymus gland seems to play a central role in
Hallmark sign of myasthenia gravis
Generalized weakness that impoves with rest
Inability to sustain/repeat muscular contractions
In myasthenia gravis, more movement =
more weakness
Myasthenia gravis has a wide range of symptoms
from what to what?
Slight ptosis to respiratory failure
What muscles are most affected in myasthenia gravis?
- Eyes
- Mouth
- Pharynx
- Proximal limb
- Shoulder girdle
What is myasthenia gravis exacerbated by?
- Infection
- Stress
- Surgery
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Some medications
What unique effects can myasthenia gravis have in pregnant women?
Exacerbated in 33% of pregnant women and can produce transitory symptoms in newborns (<20%)
Treatment options for myasthenia gravis
- Pyridostigmine (60 mg, tid= 2 mg IV)
- Immunosuppressants
- Thymectomy
- Plasmapheresis
two possible complications of treatment of myasthenia gravis
cholinergic crisis and myasthenic crisis
(cholinergic crisis = overdosing, myasthenic crisis = undertreatment)
What complication can occur from overdosing of anticholinesterase?
cholinergic crisis
What can occur from underdosing of anticholinesterase?
Myasthenic crisis
signs of muscarinic stimulation with cholinergic crisis
- excessive salivation
- diarrhea
- excessive tearing
- bradycardia
- miosis
eye signs in myasthenic crisis
- pupils normal size
- ptosis
what s/s can both cholinergic and myastenic crisis lead to?
weakness and respiratory failure
If a myasthenia gravis patient is on an anticholinesterase DOS, what effects will this have?
- Increased vagal reflex
- Interferes with muscle relaxants
- Inhibits plasma cholinesterase
Myasthenia gravis patients should take their anticholinesterase several days before and right before surgery
What happens if they dont?
- Aspiration risk
- At risk for respiratory failure
In myasthenia gravis patients its important to review electrolytes and correct as needed
Which one in particular?
Hypokalemia because it can potentiate muscle weakness
What should be considered in plan of care for myasthenia gravis patient?
- Pharyngeal/laryngeal muscle weakness
- Oral secretions- difficulty eliminating
- Increased risk of pulmonary aspiration
What accounts for much of the morbidity of myasthenia gravis?
Swallowing and respiratory muscle dysfunction
Preferred anesthetic plans in myasthenia gravis patiens
- Regional or local anesthesia preferred
- GA- inhalational agents may decrease muscle tone enough for intubation so that muscle relaxants are not needed
What NMB are myasthenia gravis patients sensitive to?
non-depolarizing NMBA
Consideration with reversing NMB in myasthenia gravis pt
Reverse cautiously to avoid cholinergic crisis
Sugammadex 2-4 mg/kg if available
Where to assess NM blockade in myasthenia gravis patients?
Orbicularis occuli
May overestimate degree of relaxation but best place to avoid undetected residual weakness
Consideration in evaluating myasthenia gravis patient post op
Evaluate fully
Muscle strength seems adequate in early recovery but can deteriorate a few hours later
Predictors that post-op ventilation may be needed in myastenia gravis pt
- Transsternal thymectomy
- Having disease >6 years
- Daily pyridostigmine dose >750 mg
- COPD
- Pre-op VC <2.9 L
How will succinylcholine dose be affected in myasthenia gravis not treated?
More resistant to succinylcholine (2-3x more resistant)
RSI dose is 1.5-2 mg/kg vs 1-1/5 mg/kg
If myasthenia gravis pt on cholinesterase inhibitor, effect on succ
What other drugs have similar effects?
May be prolonged
Ester local anesthetics
What drugs should you decrease or avoid in myasthenia gravis pt?
Non-depolarizers
Could be 10-100x more sensitive
If need to use, small dose 1/2-1/3 normal dose of short acting
Why is it better to titrate dose of non-depolarizer in NMB in myasthenia gravis patients?
To allow for spontaneous recovery so that you don’t have to use a reversal