Respiratory complications of anesthesia
Respiratory Complications
Respiratory complications are a leading cause of death acutely post injury. This is due to paralysis of respiratory muscles, relative bronchoconstriction, excess secretions, ventilation/perfusion mismatch.
The most common respiratory complication
Atelectasis is the most common respiratory complication in patients with spinal cord injury and may lead to pneumonia, pleural effusion, and empyema.
Treatment of Respiratory infections
Respiratory infections should be treated promptly with cough assist, physiotherapy, and antibiotics. Pulmonary embolism, sleep apnea and respiratory failure are also potential complications that clinicians looking after patients with SCI, should be aware of.