Critical care in the emergency department: acute respiratory failure. Issue 2 (26th November 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nee, Patrick A; Al-Jubouri, Mohammad A; Gray, Alasdair J; O'Donnell, Charlie; Strong, Dan
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 28:Issue 2(2011)
• Page Start: 94
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2010-11-26
• Subjects: Cardiac care -- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- heart failure -- intensive care -- respiratory -- ventilation; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emj.2005.030643
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a frequent emergency department (ED) presentation. The definition and common causes of ARF are discussed in this article and ED management of the condition is discussed, using an illustrative case report. The paper considers the role of B-type natriuretic peptide in diagnosis and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in treatment. Intensive care unit admission denial is common in ARF, although the evidence base is lacking. Finally, the decision-making process is described when a patient with ARF fails to improve with NIV.