Acute Refractory Hypoxemia After Chest Trauma
Acute Refractory Hypoxemia After Chest Trauma
In conclusion, this patient presented with extreme hypoxemia in the context of blunt chest trauma accompanied by atelectasis and ARDS, with subsequent acute cor pulmonale. CV was ineffective in reversing the process. The introduction of HFOV allowed the recruitment of collapsed alveoli and, as a result, the rapid relief of increased pulmonary vascular resistance and subsequently the reversal of acute cor pulmonale. This illustrates the potentially beneficial role of rapid HFOV-mediated lung recruitment in desperate situations on both oxygenation and right ventricular function, notwithstanding recent evidence from landmark clinical trials finding no benefit or harm from the routine application of HFOV in patients with early ARDS.
Conclusions
In conclusion, this patient presented with extreme hypoxemia in the context of blunt chest trauma accompanied by atelectasis and ARDS, with subsequent acute cor pulmonale. CV was ineffective in reversing the process. The introduction of HFOV allowed the recruitment of collapsed alveoli and, as a result, the rapid relief of increased pulmonary vascular resistance and subsequently the reversal of acute cor pulmonale. This illustrates the potentially beneficial role of rapid HFOV-mediated lung recruitment in desperate situations on both oxygenation and right ventricular function, notwithstanding recent evidence from landmark clinical trials finding no benefit or harm from the routine application of HFOV in patients with early ARDS.
