Fatal respiratory arrest in adult epiglottitis in the intensive care unit. Implications for airway management.
A 64-year-old man with acute epiglottitis, monitored in an ICU without an artificial airway, suffered sudden fatal respiratory arrest 36 h after admission despite rapid emergency interventions. This case demonstrates the importance of adequate airway protection in adult epiglottitis even within an ICU setting. A protocol for airway management for such patients is presented.
Mayo-Smith
M
M
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Manchester, NH 03104.
D000208:Acute Disease; D004826:Epiglottitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*