Respiratory arrest

• What is respiratory arrest?


  Complete cessation of respiratory effort

  Typically the result of progressive respiratory distress -> can result in cardiac arrest
• What can cause respiratory distress & ultimately resp arrest?


  Infections

  • croup
  • epiglottitis
  • bronchiolitis
  • pneumonia

  Inflammation & bronchoconstriction

  • asthma
  • VIW

  Foreign body aspiration

  Neuromuscular

  • respiratory muscle paralysis

  CV conditions

  • myocarditis
  • dilated cardiomyopathy
  • pericarditis
• What are the signs & symptoms of respiratory distress in children?

  Tachypnoea

  Sternal, subcostal & intercostal recession

  Tracheal tug

  See-saw breathing

  Accessory muscle use

  Nasal flaring

  Additional respiratory sounds (stridor, wheeze, grunt)

  Cyanosis

  Reduced air entry & poor chest expansion
• What is the management of resp arrest?


  A-E approach
• What are the possible complications of respiratory arrest?


  Hypoxic brain damage

  Cardiac arrest

  Death
• There are generally poor outcomes associated with cardiorespiratory arrest in children and infants. Early detection and involvement of PICU are associated with the best outcomes.