ABSTRACT
Approximately one third of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) need to be
admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) because of respiratory failure. A significant
proportion of patients require ICU admission because of dysautonomia or because of
medical or iatrogenic complications. Recognition of the clinical manifestations and
the paraclinical findings in patients with neuromuscular respiratory failure is essential
to ensure mechanical ventilation promptly. In the ICU, attention to positioning, nutrition,
analgesia, and psychological support are crucial. Recognition of autonomic dysfunction
and of the rare need for intervention is important to avoid iatrogenic complications.
Prognosis determination in GBS is based on the clinical history, epidemiological factors,
and neurologic examination.
KEYWORD
Guillain-Barré - syndrome - intensive care - management - complications - neuromuscular
respiratory failure
