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Myasthenia Gravis

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Anesthesiology

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Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease with circulating antibodies that block acetylcholine (Ach) receptors or other proteins at the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction, inhibiting the excitatory effects of the neurotransmitter Ach on nicotinic receptors at neuromuscular junctions. MG is believed to be caused by variations in certain genes, and the thymus may play a role in the pathogenesis. The main feature of MG is the painless weakness of skeletal muscles. The weakness becomes progressively worse during periods of physical activity, and improves after periods of rest. Initial symptoms include ptosis, diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia, or limb muscle weakness. Myasthenic crisis is characterized by severe muscle weakness and respiratory failure. The primary concern for anesthesia is the severity and treatment of the disease, coexisting disease, and anesthetic agents that may exacerbate muscle weakness. The anesthetic implications of MG are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Huan Wang & Zhiling Xiong

Authors
  1. Huan Wang
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  2. Zhiling Xiong
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Correspondence to Huan Wang .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Linda S. Aglio

  2. Institute for Safety in Ofiice Based Systems, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA

    Richard D. Urman

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Wang, H., Xiong, Z. (2017). Myasthenia Gravis. In: Aglio, L., Urman, R. (eds) Anesthesiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50141-3_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50141-3_22

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-50139-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-50141-3

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