DISPELLING THE CURSE: IMPROVEMENT OF VENTILATORY DRIVE IN CENTRAL ALVEOLAR HYPOVENTILATION SYNDROME AFTER MEDULLARY INFARCTION

Abstract

IntroductionCentral alveolar hypoventilation syndrome (CAHS) is a rare complication of stroke affecting the medullary respiratory centre. CAHS is characterised by impaired ventilatory response to CO2 leading to hypoventilation, hyper-capnoea and coma. Experimental studies have linked this syndrome to areas in the dorsal and ventrolateral medulla. CAHS is associated with long-term invasive ventilatory support, high mortality and morbidity. It is unclear whether sensitivity to CO2 can improve after the initial ischaemic medullary insult.CaseA 78 year old woman presenting with CAHS secondary to a unilateral left posterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction. MRI images confirmed that dorsal a..