airway obstruction
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Introduction
Complete airway obstruction is a medical emergency.
Etiology
- unconsciousness
- loss of tone in submandibular muscles
- posterior displacement of the tongue occludes the airway in the pharynx
- the epiglottis may occlude the airway in the larynx
- pharmacologic causes (angioedema)
- beta blockers
- cephalosporins
- cholinergic drugs
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
- penicillins
- pentazocine
- streptomycin
- Tartarazine (drugs with yellow dye)
Clinical manifestations
- partial airway obstruction
- respiratory noises may be more pronounced in the inspiratory or expiratory phase of respiration, depending upon the location of obstruction
Diagnostic procedures
- partial airway obstruction
- pulmonary function testing
- flow volume loop may distinguish intrathoracic from extrathoracic airway obstruction
- pulmonary function testing
Management
- complete airway obstruction
- open airway (see obstructed airway maneuver)
- opening the airway is the priority of basic life support & ACLS protocols
- head tilt-chin lift
- jaw thrust
- Heimlick maneuver
- initiate rescue breathing
- open airway (see obstructed airway maneuver)
- partial airway obstruction
- depends upon severity & etiology
More general terms
More specific terms
Additional terms
References
- ↑ Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Companion Handbook, Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1995, pg 829-39.
- ↑ ACLS - The Reference Texbook ACLS: Principles & Practice, Cummins RO et al (eds), American Heart Association, 2003 ISBN 0-87493-341-2
- ↑ Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 15, 18 American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2009, 2018
- ↑ Fein A, Morante JE, Shah AM Diagnostic Errors in Patients With Pulmonary Symptoms. Medscape. June 15, 2017 http://www.medscape.com/slideshow/diagnostic-errors-pulmonary-symptoms-6008747
- ↑ Murgu SD, Egressy K, Laxmanan B et al Central Airway Obstruction: Benign Strictures, Tracheobronchomalacia, and Malignancy-related Obstruction. Chest. 2016 Aug;150(2):426-41. Review. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/268741927