The Crashing Obese Patient

Overview

Journal West J Emerg Med

Specialty Emergency Medicine

Date 2019 Mar 19

PMID 30881553

Citations 5

Authors

Brian K Parker

Sara Manning

Michael E Winters

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Emergency physicians (EP) frequently resuscitate and manage critically ill patients. Resuscitation of the crashing obese patient presents a unique challenge for even the most skilled physician. Changes in anatomy, metabolic demand, cardiopulmonary reserve, ventilation, circulation, and pharmacokinetics require special consideration. This article focuses on critical components in the resuscitation of the crashing obese patient in the emergency department, namely intubation, mechanical ventilation, circulatory resuscitation, and pharmacotherapy. To minimize morbidity and mortality, it is imperative that the EP be familiar with the pearls and pitfalls discussed within this article.

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