Neurodegenerative diseases are often associated with life-threatening declines in respiratory and swallowing mechanisms. We report the case of a 70-year-old man who had postoperative dysphagia and respiratory failure that required reintubation after coronary artery bypass surgery. Impairment of the patient’s speech, swallowing, and respiratory mechanisms identified during postoperative clinical and instrumental examinations was suggestive of a neurodegenerative disease. Genetic testing confirmed a diagnosis of spinal-bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy disease). This case report aims toLhighlight increased morbidity in patients with undiagnosed neuromuscular disorders in the critical care setting and the benefits of vigilant postoperative monitoring and multidisciplinary involvement throughout the care of complex patients.
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1 March 2012
Cases of Note|
March 01 2012
Complications After Cardiovascular Surgery in a Case of Undiagnosed Spinal-Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (Kennedy Disease)
Stacey A. Skoretz, MSc;
Stacey A. Skoretz is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. May-Sann Yee is an anesthesiologist at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Rosemary Martino is an associate professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto and an affiliated scientist at the Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Corresponding author: Stacey Skoretz, msc, University of Toronto, 160-500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1V7 (e-mail: [email protected]).
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May-Sann Yee, MD, FRCPC;
May-Sann Yee, MD, FRCPC
Stacey A. Skoretz is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. May-Sann Yee is an anesthesiologist at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Rosemary Martino is an associate professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto and an affiliated scientist at the Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Rosemary Martino, MA, MSc, PhD
Rosemary Martino, MA, MSc, PhD
Stacey A. Skoretz is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. May-Sann Yee is an anesthesiologist at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Rosemary Martino is an associate professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto and an affiliated scientist at the Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Am J Crit Care (2012) 21 (2): 139.
Citation
Stacey A. Skoretz, May-Sann Yee, Rosemary Martino; Complications After Cardiovascular Surgery in a Case of Undiagnosed Spinal-Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (Kennedy Disease). Am J Crit Care 1 March 2012; 21 (2): 139–138. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2012453
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