title: The pathophysiology of emphysema: considerations for critical care nursing practice.
abstract: Emphysema is caused by exposure to cigarette smoking as well as alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency. It has been estimated to cost the National Health Service (NHS) in excess of 800 million pounds per year in related health care costs. The challenges for Critical Care nurses are those associated with dynamic hyperinflation, Auto-PEEP, malnutrition and the weaning from invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. In this paper we consider the impact of the pathophysiology of emphysema, its effects on other body systems as well as the impact acute exacerbations have when patients are admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
authors.affiliation: Bournemouth University, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mattison
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000209:etiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology; D017380:Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular / Q000209:etiology; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D018467:Positive-Pressure Respiration, Intrinsic / Q000209:etiology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011660:Pulmonary Heart Disease / Q000209:etiology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000451:nursing