Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a genetically distinct disorder that shares some phenotypical features of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). However, anesthetic management of patients with DM2 has not been described. The purpose of this study is to report the anesthetic management of a series of patients with DM2 and to describe their response to anesthesia. ⋯ In our series, patients with DM2 tolerated commonly used anesthetics without obvious complications, and they exhibited normal responses to muscle relaxants. These observations suggest that these medications may be used safely in patients with DM2.
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From March to July 2009, influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (H1N1-2009) virus emerged as a major cause of respiratory failure that required mechanical ventilation. A small proportion of patients who had this condition developed severe respiratory failure that was unresponsive to conventional therapeutic interventions. In this report, we describe characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of critically ill patients in Canada who had H1N1-2009 infection and were treated with extracorporeal lung support (ECLS). ⋯ Extracorporeal lung support may be an effective treatment for patients who have H1N1-2009 infection and refractory hypoxemia. Survival of these patients treated with ECLS is similar to that reported for patients who have acute respiratory distress syndrome of other etiologies and are treated with ECMO.