Neurológia pre prax 5/2017

Myasthenia gravis and anesthesia

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder of neuromuscular transmission. There are many drugs frequently used in anesthesiology which interfere significantly with this disease. The most important are peripheral blocking agents and potent inhaled anesthetic agents. Patients suffering from myasthenia reveal modified sensitivity to these drugs, esp. to the peripheral blocking agents. Regional methods of the anesthesia or combination of both are preferred. Postoperative management is based on the careful monitoration of patients until full recovery is reached. In patient with myasthenia gravis there is no risk of malignant hyperthermia.

Keywords: neuromuscular junction, myasthenia gravis, neuromuscular blocking agents, cholinesterase inhibitors