C.7. Five minutes after tracheal intubation, the peak airway pressure increased from 20 to 40 cm H2O. What are the possible causes?

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Questions

C.7. Five minutes after tracheal intubation, the peak airway pressure increased from 20 to 40 cm H₂O. What are the possible causes?
Answer:

Possible causes of increased peak airway pressure in this patient are:

Tension pneumothorax.
Bronchospasm.
Endobronchial intubation.
Pulmonary edema.
Secretions.
Kink in the anesthesia circuit or endotracheal tube.

References

Manning HL. Peak airway pressure: why the fuss? Chest. 1994;105:242-247.
Woods BD, Sladen RN. Perioperative considerations for the patient with asthma and bronchospasm. Br J Anaesth. 2009;103:i57-i65.