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Neuromuscular disease (NMD)

Neuromuscular disease

Neuromuscular disease (NMD) is a broad term that encompasses many diseases and ailments affecting muscle function, either directly (via intrinsic muscle pathology) or indirectly (via nerve pathology). NMD is classified into slowly and rapidly progressive disorders, the latter of which is characterized by muscle impairment that worsens over months, leading to mortality within a few years (e.g., ALS and DMD).

NMD patients are frequently characterized by progressive muscular impairment leading to:

  • Respiratory muscle weakness
  • Loss of mobility
  • Difficulty swallowing

Treating respiratory conditions associated with NMD

The ideal treatment for respiratory failure in NMD patients is noninvasive ventilation (NIV), which can help alleviate symptoms including nocturnal hypoventilation.

Improving quality of life

Resmed is committed to improving quality of life for NMD patients through the use of home NIV systems, offering both noninvasive and invasive systems catering to patients who are both dependent and non-dependent on ventilation.

Our intelligent Volume-Assured Pressure Support mode (iVAPS) secures target volume as well as alveolar ventilation, helping accommodate changing conditions during the night (e.g., when respiratory drive is impaired during REM sleep or when the patient moves to a supine position). iVAPS automatically adjusts the level of pressure support to meet the set alveolar target, providing higher pressure support when – and only when – it’s needed.

A clinical study has shown that patients using a Resmed ventilator with iVAPS technology have adhered to therapy for 60 minutes longer per session than when treated with standard pressure support modes. The study concludes that iVAPS “may encourage adherence to therapy for patients newly adjusting to NIV.”1

Some Resmed ventilators also feature trigger sensitivity technology that can detect even the weakest breath, triggering the ventilator so that breathing is not delayed or compromised.

References

  1. Source: Jaye J, Kelly J, et al. Eur Respir J 2012; 40: Suppl. 56, 519s.