Respiratory arrest
| Respiratory arrest | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| ICD-10 | R09.2 |
| ICD-9-CM | 799.1 |
| eMedicine | article/167981 |
| Patient UK | Respiratory arrest |
Respiratory arrest is the cessation of normal breathing due to failure of the lungs to function effectively.
A respiratory arrest is different from (but may be caused by) a cardiac arrest, where the heart muscles fail to contract, and can also be the result of prolonged apnea - breathing then slows down or stops.[1]
Respiratory arrest prevents delivery of oxygen to the body. Lack of oxygen to the brain causes loss of consciousness. Brain injury is likely if respiratory arrest goes untreated for more than three minutes, and death is almost certain if left untreated for more than five minutes. For the best chance of survival and recovery, immediate and decisive treatment is imperative.
Respiratory arrest is a medical emergency that, in certain situations, is potentially reversible if treated early. The treatment for respiratory arrest is artificial ventilation.
Causes
- Muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal cord injuries, and strokes may cause a change in breathing resulting in respiratory arrest.
- Chest injury or acute lung injury.
- Scoliosis or other spinal problems affecting breathing muscles.
- Lung diseases and conditions.[2]
- Severe hypovolemic or hemorrhagic shock.
See also
References
- ↑ Medline Plus. "Breathing-slow or stopped."
- ↑ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. "What Causes Respiratory Failure?"
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