Search
Hypoxemia in the Intubated Asthmatic
- Intubating and mechanically ventilating the asthmatic patient can be frought with potential complications that markedly increase morbidity and mortality.
- In the ventilated asthmatic who develops persistent or worsening hypoxemia, evaluate the patient for the following complications:
- right main stem intubation
- pneumothorax
- ETT displacement
- ETT obstruction
- air leak around the ETT
- gastric distention (decreases respiratory system compliance)
- ventilator malfunction
- progressive bronchospasm
References
Brenner R, Corbridge T, Kazzi A. Intubation and mechanical ventilation of the asthmatic patient in respiratory failure. JEM 2009;37(2S):S23-34.