Hutchinson D et al. - Patients with Guillain-Barré and other acute conditions may require short-term ventilatory support in the intensive care unit. Patients with some chronic disorders, such as motor neuron disease and Duchenne dystrophy, can be successfully treated with non-invasive ventilation, usually in collaboration with a respiratory physician. New-onset weakness of limb and respiratory muscles in the intensive care unit is usually due to critical illness myopathy or critical illness polyneuropathy, and treatment is supportive.