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Published in: Critical Care 1/2007

01-02-2007 | Commentary

Airway closure: the silent killer of peripheral airways

Authors: Paolo Pelosi, Patricia RM Rocco

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 1/2007

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Abstract

Tidal airway closure occurs when the closing volume exceeds the end-expiratory lung volume, and it is commonly observed in general anaesthesia, particularly in obese patients. Animal studies suggest that tidal airway closure causes injury to peripheral airways, characterized histologically by rupture of alveolar-airway attachments, denuded epithelium, disruption of airway smooth muscle and increased numbers of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the alveolar walls. Functionally, this injury is characterized by increased airway resistance. Peripheral airway injury may be a common yet unrecognized complication and may be avoided by application of low levels of positive end-expiratory pressure. Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide is a simple method that may permit early detection of unsuspected peripheral airway injury during mechanical ventilation, both in healthy and diseased lungs.
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Metadata
Title
Airway closure: the silent killer of peripheral airways
Authors
Paolo Pelosi
Patricia RM Rocco
Publication date
01-02-2007
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 1/2007
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/cc5692

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