Critical Care: Pulmonary

Abstract

Pulmonary complications [atelectasis, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, COPD exacerbation, acute respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)] are common in geriatric trauma and acute care surgery patients. Pneumonia and acute respiratory failure are most common. Acute respiratory failure and ARDS are life-threatening pulmonary complications that require mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit admission, and are associated with increased risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia. This chapter reviews epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pulmonary complications in geriatric patients.