- Section 1 ICU organization and management
- Section 2 Pharmacotherapeutics
- Section 3 Resuscitation
- Section 4 The respiratory system
- Part 4.1 Physiology
- Part 4.2 Respiratory monitoring
- Part 4.3 Upper airway obstruction
- Part 4.4 Airway access
- Part 4.5 Acute respiratory failure
- Part 4.6 Ventilatory support
- Part 4.7 Weaning ventilatory support
- Part 4.8 Extracorporeal support
- Part 4.9 Aspiration and inhalation
- Chapter 106 Aspiration of gastric contents in the critically ill
- Chapter 107 Inhalation injury in the ICU
- Part 4.10 Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Part 4.11 Airflow limitation
- Part 4.12 Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis
- Part 4.13 Pneumonia
- Part 4.14 Atelectasis and sputum retention
- Part 4.15 Pleural cavity problems
- Part 4.16 Haemoptysis
- Section 5 The cardiovascular system
- Section 6 The gastrointestinal system
- Section 7 Nutrition
- Section 8 The renal system
- Section 9 The neurological system
- Section 10 The metabolic and endocrine systems
- Section 11 The haematological system
- Section 12 The skin and connective tissue
- Section 13 Infection
- Section 14 Inflammation
- Section 15 Poisoning
- Section 16 Trauma
- Section 17 Physical disorders
- Section 18 Pain and sedation
- Section 19 General surgical and obstetric intensive care
- Section 20 Specialized intensive care
- Section 21 Recovery from critical illness
- Section 22 End-of-life care
(p. 486) Aspiration and inhalation
This chapter focuses on the pathophysiology, clinical features, management and prevention of aspiration pneumonitis, aspiration pneumonia, and airway obstruction. Aspiration is defined as the inhalation of oropharyngeal or gastric contents into the larynx and lower respiratory tract. Pulmonary syndromes caused by aspiration are different, depending on the amount and nature of the aspirated material, the frequency of aspiration and the host’s response. This results in a chemical burn of tracheobronchial tree and pulmonary parenchyma. The caustic effects of the low pH of the aspirate cause an intense inflammatory reaction. As a consequence, severe hypoxaemia and infiltrates on chest radiograph occur. If colonized oropharyngeal material enters the lungs, aspiration pneumonia develops and antibiotics are needed. Even if not toxic per se, large volumes of fluids may cause suffocation by mechanical obstruction. Prevention of aspiration is of vital importance and the patient at risk must be identified. The major therapeutic approach is to correct hypoxia, support pulmonary function, and prevent pneumonia development.
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- Section 1 ICU organization and management
- Section 2 Pharmacotherapeutics
- Section 3 Resuscitation
- Section 4 The respiratory system
- Part 4.1 Physiology
- Part 4.2 Respiratory monitoring
- Part 4.3 Upper airway obstruction
- Part 4.4 Airway access
- Part 4.5 Acute respiratory failure
- Part 4.6 Ventilatory support
- Part 4.7 Weaning ventilatory support
- Part 4.8 Extracorporeal support
- Part 4.9 Aspiration and inhalation
- Chapter 106 Aspiration of gastric contents in the critically ill
- Chapter 107 Inhalation injury in the ICU
- Part 4.10 Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Part 4.11 Airflow limitation
- Part 4.12 Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis
- Part 4.13 Pneumonia
- Part 4.14 Atelectasis and sputum retention
- Part 4.15 Pleural cavity problems
- Part 4.16 Haemoptysis
- Section 5 The cardiovascular system
- Section 6 The gastrointestinal system
- Section 7 Nutrition
- Section 8 The renal system
- Section 9 The neurological system
- Section 10 The metabolic and endocrine systems
- Section 11 The haematological system
- Section 12 The skin and connective tissue
- Section 13 Infection
- Section 14 Inflammation
- Section 15 Poisoning
- Section 16 Trauma
- Section 17 Physical disorders
- Section 18 Pain and sedation
- Section 19 General surgical and obstetric intensive care
- Section 20 Specialized intensive care
- Section 21 Recovery from critical illness
- Section 22 End-of-life care