Atelectasis is either a partial or complete collapse of a lung or lobe of a lung; it develops when the lung’s alveoli become deflated. Essentially, it’s a respiratory complication that can occur after a surgery. It is also a possible complication of other respiratory problems, such as cystic fibrosis, inhaled foreign objects, lung tumors, and more. Atelectasis can make breathing incredibly difficult and lower your oxygen intake, even more so if a lung disease is already present.
Atelectasis may occur because of an obstructed airway (obstructive atelectasis) or of pressure from outside the lung (non-obstructive atelectasis). Nearly all of those who have a surgery, particularly heart bypass surgery, can have some atelectasis from their anesthesia. Anesthesia changes your regular pattern of breathing and the absorption of gases/pressures; this different combination may cause some type of a collapse within your lungs’ alveoli.
Possible causes of obstructive atelectasis can include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Mucus plug
-Foreign body
-Narrowing of major airways from disease
-Tumor in a major airway
-Blood clot
Possible causes of non-obstructive atelectasis can include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Injury
-Pleural effusion
-Pneumonia
-Pneumothorax
-Scarring of lung tissue
-Tumor
Some factors that may increase the risk of atelectasis can include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Age (<3 and >60)
-Condition that interferes with spontaneous coughing/yawning/sighing
-Bed confinement without frequent changes of position
-Impaired swallowing function
-Lung diseases
-Premature birth
-Recent abdominal/chest surgery
-Recent general anesthesia
-Respiratory muscle weakness (due to neuromuscular condition)
-Any cause of shallow breathing
If left untreated, atelectasis could result in hypoxemia, pneumonia, and/or respiratory failure. Diagnosis may entail procedures such as chest x-rays, CT scan, oximetry, and/or bronchoscopy. Because each individual’s case is unique, consult your doctor about the best method of treatment for your case of atelectasis.
Where there are sometimes no obvious signs of atelectasis, symptoms may include:
-Difficulty breathing
-Rapid/shallow breathing
-Excessive coughing
