Pulmonary and Venous Thromboembolism Care

Pulmonary complications are prevalent in the critically ill acquired brain injury and spinal cord injury population. Respiratory failure, pneumonia, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, hemothorax, pneumothorax, and pulmonary embolism are frequently encountered in the setting of severe neurologic impairments. Direct brain injury, depressed level of consciousness and inability to protect the airway, disruption of natural defense barriers, decreased mobility, and secondary neurological insults inherent to severe acquired brain injury and spinal cord injury are leading causes of pulmonary complications in critically ill neurological patients. This chapter summarizes these important medical conditions and appropriate management.