MYASTHENIA GRAVIS-MYAESTHENIC CRISIS

SUMMARY

1. Myasthenic crisis is a rapid deterioration of myasthenia that can cause respiratory failure and quadriplegia.

2. Respiratory infection or certain medications can precipitate crises.

3. Besides respiratory support, patients respond to plasmapheresis and IVIG.

4. Drugs which precipitate crisis: aminoglycosides, beta-blockers, procinamide, alpha-interferon, penacillamine, quinidine, Mg sulphate.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].