Pulmonary Complications of Neuromuscular Disease

This book provides clinicians with a comprehensive resource on the topic of respiratory complications of neuromuscular disease. It includes chapters by neurologists, pediatric pulmonologists, adult pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, and sleep physicians. The book begins with a review of the pathophysiology and epidemiology of the neuromuscular diseases that affect the respiratory system. It then includes chapters on pediatric concerns and the transition from pediatric providers to adult providers. There is additionally a focus on various therapeutic approaches and the monitoring of noninvasive ventilation. Finally, it includes a chapters on secretion clearance, palliative care and end of life decision making. The book appeals to a broad medical audience including adult pulmonologists, pediatric pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, nurses, sleep medicine providers, and neurologists.

Overview of neurologic disorders effecting the respiratory system including pathophysiology and epidemiology.- Assessing respiratory function in the patient with neuromuscular disease.- Sleep disordered breathing in neuromuscular disease.- Ventilatory support for the neuromuscular patient noninvasive and invasive.- Non-invasive approaches to secretion clearance in neuromuscular disease.- Monitoring patients on long-term non-invasive ventilation.- The approach to the pediatric patient with respiratory complications of neuromuscular disease.- Transitioning from pediatric providers to adult providers: barriers, resources, and approaches.- Respiratory care of the muscular dystrophy patient.- Respiratory care of the ALS patient.- Respiratory care of the spinal cord injury patient.- Approach to the patient with neuromuscular diseases causing acute respiratory failure.- The global perspective on respiratory care for neuromuscular disease.- Palliative care and end of life decision making.

Noah Lechtzin, MD, MHS is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.  He was born and raised in Philadelphia and received his medical degree from Temple University in 1994, where he finished first in his class. He then completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.  Dr. Lechtzin did a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins and also received a Masters degree in epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2000.