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Critical care in the ED: potentially fatal asthma and acute lung injury syndrome

Authors Hodder R

Received 18 February 2012

Accepted for publication 6 March 2012

Published 31 August 2012 Volume 2012:4 Pages 53—68

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OAEM.S30998

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Rick Hodder*

Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada,

*Dr Rick Hodder passed away on Tuesday April 17,2012. Please see the Dedication for more information on Dr Hodder.

Abstract: Emergency department clinicians are frequently called upon to assess, diagnose, and stabilize patients who present with acute respiratory failure. This review describes a rapid initial approach to acute respiratory failure in adults, illustrated by two common examples: (1) an airway disease – acute potentially fatal asthma, and (2) a pulmonary parenchymal disease – acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome. As such patients are usually admitted to hospital, discussion will be focused on those initial management aspects most relevant to the emergency department clinician.

Keywords: acute asthma, acute lung injury, ARDS, acute respiratory failure

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