Mortality/Morbidity

In 3 recent large studies, mortality rate ranged from 2-6%.

In general, death is due to complications of ventilation. Causes include cardiac arrest, pulmonary embolus, sepsis, bronchospasm, pneumothorax, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and dysautonomia.

More than 75% of patients have complete or near-complete recovery with no deficit or only mild residual fatigue and distal weakness.

Other patients, almost all of whom required ventilation, report severe dysesthesias or moderately severe distal weakness as residual symptoms.

About 15% of patients end up with significant neurological residuals.

Hope this helps,

Zig