Intensive Care of Acute Guillain-Barré Syndrome

     Allan H. Ropper

Abstract:   Guillain-Barré syndrome causes, in addition to paralysis and respiratory failure, many general medical problems that have great bearing on outcome. The main features of daily care that require attention are: respiratory and urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal dysfunction, hyponatremia, pain control, and the potential for pulmonary embolism. Dysautonomic problems that arise specifically in the intensive care unit include: hyper- and hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and ileus. Throughout the illness, certain psychological aberrations and communication problems must be addressed. The experience reviewed herein provides a practical approach to these problems.

Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 1994; 21: S23-S27