title: Respiratory care of patients with cervical spinal cord injury: a review.
abstract: Respiratory complications following cervical spinal cord injury are common and are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality after this type of injury. Impaired mechanics of ventilation, poor cough, increased secretions and bronchospasm predispose to atelectasis, pneumonia and exacerbations of respiratory failure. Prolonged mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy are often required. This review discusses the relevant pathophysiology, various ventilatory strategies and timing of tracheostomy, and examines the evidence surrounding physiotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. sumesharora1@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sumesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Flower
authors.forename: Nicholas P S
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Bonsan B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D014139:Tracheostomy