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.