title: Life-threatening acute respiratory distress in late pregnancy.
abstract: Acute severe ventilatory failure from any cause is always a critical emergency. In advanced pregnancy, such an episode is particularly hazardous. The management of a pregnant patient who presented with an acute episode of respiratory distress is described. Although this was though initially to be an asthmatic attack, there was evidence of upper airway obstruction caused by an enlarged thyroid. The major complicating factors and aetiology are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Mettam
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*