Atelectasis
Atelectasis - Related Videos
01:10
Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology
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2026
Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...
07:20
Lavage-induced Surfactant Depletion in Pigs As a Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
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Cited by 20 •
2016
Repeated pulmonary lavages in anesthetized pigs induce lung injury resembling major aspects of human acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). For this purpose the lungs are repeatedly lavaged with 0.9% saline at 37 °C. The goal of the protocol is a reproducible mitigation of gas exchange and hemodynamics for research in ARDS.
07:59
Implantation of Engineered Tissue in the Rat Heart
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Cited by 4 •
2009
Here, we describe a cardiac surgical procedure to implant engineered tissue in the atrioventricular (AV)-groove of an adult Lewis rat.
09:54
Lung Rapid Recovery Procurement Combined with Abdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Controlled Donation after Circulatory Death
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Cited by 6 •
2022
The protocol combines a lung cooling rapid recovery technique with abdominal normothermic regional perfusion for abdominal graft procurement in controlled asystole donors, which is a safe and useful method to expand the donor pool.
05:56
Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
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Cited by 6 •
2024
Electrical Impedance Tomography is a non-invasive, radiation-free, real-time pulmonary ventilation monitoring tool. By measuring impedance changes in the thorax, it can visualize the distribution of air on a breath-by-breath basis. Initially intended for ventilation monitoring, electrical impedance tomography can also measure perfusion via intravenous injection of a saline solution.
FAQs
With obstructive atelectasis, a blocked airway stops fresh air from reaching the distal alveoli. The air already trapped beyond the blockage is gradually absorbed, so the affected lung region loses volume and contributes less effectively to ventilation. This mechanism explains why clearing the airway is central when obstruction is the suspected cause.
External compression reduces lung expansion without beginning with an airway blockage. Fluid, air, tumors, or abdominal expansion can press on lung tissue and limit ventilation in the compressed region. This distinction matters because management must address the source of pressure rather than rely only on airway-clearance measures.
Shallow breathing, prolonged immobility, and the period after surgery are important clinical contexts for atelectasis. They can reduce the movement of air into parts of the lung, making preventive or corrective measures such as mobilization and deep-breathing exercises relevant. This connection explains why clinicians pay particular attention to breathing after procedures and during extended inactivity.
Reduced ventilation in affected alveoli is the direct link between atelectasis and impaired gas exchange. As less air reaches those regions, patients may experience dyspnea, cough, or low blood oxygen levels. These findings connect a structural lung problem with clinically observable respiratory effects and support the need for examination and imaging.
Clinical assessment combines examination with chest imaging. Examination can identify relevant respiratory findings, while imaging helps evaluate the involved lung changes. Together, these methods support recognition of atelectasis and help clinicians decide whether the likely problem is airway obstruction or external compression, guiding treatment toward the underlying cause.
Treatment is directed at restoring ventilation by addressing the mechanism involved. Airway clearance may be appropriate when obstruction is preventing airflow. Mobilization and deep-breathing exercises are used to counter the effects of shallow breathing or inactivity, whereas relieving fluid, air, tumor, or abdominal-expansion pressure targets compression. This cause-based approach links therapy to the clinical source.
Postoperative and immobilized patients warrant attention because surgery and prolonged inactivity are recognized settings in which shallow breathing and atelectasis can occur. In these settings, clinicians may combine symptom awareness with examination, chest imaging, mobilization, and deep-breathing exercises. The practical goal is to identify impaired ventilation and address it before it contributes to low blood oxygen levels.