Acute intermittent porphyria with respiratory paralysis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-13-1958

Publication Title

Journal of the American Medical Association

ISSN

00029955

E-ISSN

23768118

Abstract

Porphyria is characterized by remissions and exacerbations; it causes death by producing respiratory failure. Three patients with respiratory involvement during recurring episodes of intermittent porphyria were treated by tracheotomy and mechanical respiratory assistance. The cases serve to emphasize that such patients may recover from their respiratory complication and be ambulant, even after a prolonged illness and in spite of continued excretion of porphobilinogen. Use of the respirator is emphasized, because it will prevent death due to paralytic respiratory failure, thus allowing time for clinical remission and recovery. Copyright, 1958, By American Medical Association.

Volume

168

Issue

15

First Page

1973

Last Page

1976

DOI

10.1001/jama.1958.03000150015004

PubMed ID

13598632

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