Gastrostomy insertion in ALS patients with low vital capacity: Respiratory support and survival

The authors evaluated their uncontrolled, retrospective experience with 33 patients with ALS with erect or supine forced vital capacity less than 50% predicted who underwent attempted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement using noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and oxygen support and conscious sedation anesthesia. Gastrostomy tubes were successfully placed in-all patients. Mean survival was 211 days with most patients (67%) surviving more than 180 days. Forced vital capacity at the time of PEG placement did not predict survival.