Respiratory arrest

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Respiratory arrest
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Absence of breathing, cyanosis, unconsciousness
Complications	Cardiac arrest, brain damage
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Until intervention
Types	N/A
Causes	Airway obstruction, respiratory muscle fatigue, central nervous system depression
Risks	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, drug overdose, neuromuscular disorders
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation, absence of respiratory effort
Differential diagnosis	Cardiac arrest, syncope, seizure
Prevention	Management of underlying conditions, airway management
Treatment	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, advanced airway management, mechanical ventilation
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Depends on time to intervention and underlying cause
Frequency	Common in emergency medicine
Deaths	N/A

Respiratory Arrest

Emergency response to a person in respiratory arrest Training

Respiratory Arrest

Respiratory arrest is a critical medical condition where an individual abruptly ceases to breathe. Immediate medical intervention is crucial to prevent life-threatening consequences.

Introduction

Respiratory arrest is the cessation of normal breathing due to failure of the lungs to function effectively. This can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from respiratory diseases to trauma.

Causes

Common causes of respiratory arrest include:

• Cardiac arrest, leading to a lack of oxygenated blood to the lungs
• Airway obstruction, due to choking or other blockages
• Overdose of drugs, particularly those affecting the central nervous system
• Severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Traumatic injury to the respiratory system

Symptoms

Indicators of respiratory arrest are:

• Inability to speak or make sounds
• No movement of the chest or abdomen (no signs of breathing)
• Loss of consciousness
• Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin, particularly around the lips and fingertips)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically made based on clinical observation of the absence of breathing.

Emergency Response

Immediate steps in the event of respiratory arrest include:

• Calling emergency services
• Starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if trained
• Using an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available

Treatment

Treatment in a medical facility may involve:

• Advanced airway management
• Ventilation support
• Treatment of underlying causes

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

• Addressing chronic respiratory conditions
• Avoiding high-risk activities such as substance abuse
• Using safety equipment to prevent trauma

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