Abstract
A relatively high percentage of hypnotic-sedative drug-overdosed (HSDO) patients suffer post-extubation upper airway obstruction. Since early detection and treatment of these lesions is desirable, we studied 20 recently extubated (within 24 hours) as well as 11 non-intubated HSDO patients employing flow-volume loops and spirometry. Abnormalities in tests for upper airway obstruction were common in both groups but only in the four post-extubation patients with clinically suspected upper airway obstruction was an inspiratory plateau by flow volume loops found. In addition, three of these four patients had mid-VC ratios greater than 1.25. We conclude that the Inspiratory flow volume loop and the mid-VC ratio may help in detecting post-extubation upper airway obstruction in lethargic, HSDO patients.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
