RESUMEN
Background: The need of mechanical ventilation among patients with acute neurological diseases is considered a poor prognostic sign. Aim: To determine the mortality and functional recovery of neurological patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Patients and methods: Prospective study of 77 patients (42 men, age 54±19 years, with 11±4 points of Glasgow coma scale (GCS), 61 percent with cerebrovascular disease), that were admitted to the intensive care unit with neurological disease and that required mechanical ventilation. Functional recovery was assessed at 18 months with Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and Barthel index. Results: Thirty percent of patients died during follow up. Among surviving patients, 47 percent had a good recovery or moderate disability, and 74 percent had a Barthel index equal to or over 70. Arterial hypertension, age over 70 and mechanical ventilation longer than 6 days were associated with bad functional prognosis. Conclusions: Neurological patients requiring mechanical ventilation had a lower mortality than previously reported, and half of the survivors have an independent life. This study supports intensive care management in this group of patients (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 11-8).