Citation

Modell JH. Circulation 1986; 74(6 Pt 2): IV27-8.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, American Heart Association, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3779930

Abstract

Several conditions that contribute to drowning and near drowning must be considered in the treatment of near-drowned victims. Regardless of the cause, mechanical ventilation should begin as soon as possible and closed-chest cardiac massage should be administered when there is any question about the adequacy of cardiac output. After aspiration of either fresh or seawater, a large intrapulmonary physiologic shunt can occur, which requires aggressive mechanical ventilatory support to ensure adequate oxygenation and to return pulmonary function to normal. Near drowning is a multisystem disease and, while abnormalities of the lung and brain have been emphasized, definitive therapy must be tailored to each patient and must address all of the patient's needs.

Language: en