Introduction The term pneumothorax was first coined by Itard in 1803. Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air in the pleural space. Traditionally, pneumothorax has been categorized into primary, secondary, traumatic, and iatrogenic. Spontaneous pneumothorax is considered “primary” when…
Introduction Venous thromboembolism (VTE) encompasses the continuum of disease that includes deep venous thrombosis (DVT; also sometimes referred to as deep vein thrombosis ) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The prototypical VTE event occurs when a blood clot forms in the…
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a major cause of death and disability worldwide, is one of the most common reasons for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Several monographs review this complex disorder in some detail. , The intensivist’s view of…
Magnitude of the problem and risk factors Each year in the United States, acute asthma accounts for approximately 1.8 million emergency department (ED) visits, 190,000 hospitalizations, and 3500 deaths. Although death rates have decreased slightly over the last 20 years,…
Aspiration is defined as the misdirection of oropharyngeal or gastric contents into the larynx and lower respiratory tract. The consequent pulmonary syndromes that follow depend on the quantity and nature of the aspirated material, frequency and chronicity of aspiration, and…
Definition Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid. This process can be fatal, nonfatal with complications, or nonfatal without complications. This definition is increasingly used in the medical, professional, and research literature to…
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common problem in the intensive care unit (ICU) that can complicate a wide spectrum of critical illnesses. First described by Ashbaugh and colleagues in 1967, the syndrome was initially termed adult respiratory distress…
Recent advances in ICU imaging Modern advancements in imaging modalities continue to provide an ever-increasing amount of diagnostic and interventional capabilities to aid in the care of critically ill patients. Continued advancement of bedside ultrasound (US) technology and training has…
Many critically ill patients are unable to effectively clear secretions that accumulate in the central and peripheral airways. This failure can be the result of factors such as increased secretion production, impaired cough reflex, weakness, and pain. An endotracheal tube…
The concept of liberation and extubation Weaning from mechanical ventilation refers to the transition period from total ventilatory support to spontaneous breathing. Approximately 70% of intubated mechanically ventilated patients are extubated after the first spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), either by…