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airway obstruction

Complete airway obstruction is a medical emergency. Etiology: 1) unconsciousness a) loss of tone in submandibular muscles b) posterior displacement of the tongue occludes the airway in the pharynx c) the epiglottis may occlude the airway in the larynx 2) 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 a) respiratory noises may be more pronounced in the inspiratory or expiratory phase of respiration, depending upon the location of obstruction Special laboratory: - partial airway obstruction - pulmonary function testing - flow volume loop may distinguish intrathoracic from extrathoracic airway obstruction Management: 1) complete airway obstruction a) 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 b) initiate rescue breathing 2) partial airway obstruction - depends upon severity & etiology

Related

basic life support (BLS) obstructed airway maneuver

Specific

chronic airway obstruction

General

sign/symptom respiratory tract disease

References

  1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Companion Handbook, Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1995, pg 829-39.
  2. ACLS - The Reference Texbook ACLS: Principles & Practice, Cummins RO et al (eds), American Heart Association, 2003 ISBN 0-87493-341-2
  3. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 15, 18 American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2009, 2018
  4. 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
  5. 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: 268741927