title: Diagnosis and management of environmental thoracic emergencies.
abstract: Physiologic sequelae from increasing ambient pressure in underwater activities, decreasing ambient pressure while at altitude, or the consequences of drowning present a unique set of challenges to emergency physicians. In addition, several environmental toxins cause significant respiratory morbidity, whether they be pulmonary irritants, simple asphyxiants, or systemic toxins. It is important for emergency physicians to understand the pathophysiology of these illnesses as well as to apply this knowledge to the clinical arena either in the prehospital setting or in the emergency department. Current treatment paradigms and controversies within these regimens are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, 1403-29 Street Northwest, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. pauldtourigny@mac.com
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Tourigny
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000628:therapy; D004242:Diving / Q000293:injuries; D004332:Drowning / Q000503:physiopathology; D004630:Emergencies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D019550:Environmental Medicine; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014118:Toxins, Biological