Home mechanical ventilation for patients with ALS: Clinical practice guideline

What is it about?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results in progressive weakness of skeletal muscles. This disorder usually results in death due to respiratory muscle involvement. Due to this, mechanical ventilation is needed for ALS. Additionally, in Canada, non-invasive ventilation is common compared to invasive ventilation procedures. The current guideline addresses reported benefits, advises on the monitoring of the respiratory status of ALS patients, and timing of initiation of noninvasive ventilation. This guideline also addresses tracheostomy ventilation for patients with ALS.

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Why is it important?

This clinical practice guideline is important as it is for use by the health care teams that care for individuals who are at the risk of requiring ventilatory assistance or require ventilatory assistance. A health care professional can use this guideline to make informed decisions in their practice regarding home mechanical ventilation (HMV). The guideline is also for ventilator assisted individuals and their caregivers to make informed choices about HMV