Can a Tension Pneumothorax Result in Death?
The Life-Threatening Form of a Collapsed Lung Is Often Fatal
Sep 23, 2009
A tension pneumothorax is an extreme form of a collapsed lung. It is a life threatening condition that can cause severe and irreparable damage to the lungs and other internal organs.
It is characterized by a large pressure buildup inside the chest cavity. This buildup can be the result of a puncture would in the chest area, proximity to a powerful blast, barotrauma, or a spontaneous pneumothorax that causes air to leak into the pleural cavity that surrounds the lungs.
The Progression of a Pneumothorax Life-Threatening Status
Once a hole appears in the chest wall or the lining of the lungs, air will leak into the pleural cavity during the inspiration of each breath. The hole forms a one-way valve that allows the air in but does not allow it to escape. Without medical attention, the pressure inside the cavity will increase inexorably.
Eventually the air will begin to put pressure on and displace the structures of the mediastinum. These include the heart, esophagus and trachea. The increased pressure decreases the blood flow exiting the heart, and causes the blood flowing back into the heart to backup in the veins, making them appear distended.
If not treated immediately, this ineffective pumping of blood can lead to a stroke, heart attack, or sudden cardiac arrest. Anyone who believes he is experiencing a tension pneumothorax should call 911 immediately.
Tension Pneumothorax Symptoms Require Immediate Hospitalization
The most obvious symptom will be extreme pain in the chest area. The interior of the chest wall is highly sensitive and the pain will increase in proportion to the pressure of the air contained within the chest cavity. Labored, rapid breathing is also a common sign. Absent breath sounds on the affected side will also present but this usually requires a stethoscope to diagnose.
Because less blood is being pumped by the compressed heart, it will compensate by beating faster and faster as the pressure increases. The decreased blood flow means that less blood will reach the extremities, resulting in cool, clammy skin. A person might also notice an unequal rise in their chest during inspiration.
The extreme chest pain will be enough to convince most people to go to the hospital, but the appearance of these other symptoms should be enough to overcome the doubts of even the most stubborn patient.
Two Similar Illnessess: Cardiac Tamponade vs. Tension Pneumothorax
These two conditions are often confused due to the similarities of their symptoms. Cardiac tamponade occurs when the pericardium (the sac that encloses the heart) rapidly fills with fluid. Like a tension pneumothorax, this condition can cause sudden cardiac arrest and requires immediate medical attention.
The most conspicuous symptom that distinguishes cardiac tamponade is a decrease in the strength of a person's pulse during inspiration of air and an increase in the strength of the pulse during expiration. This variation is not present if a person is suffering from a tension pneumothorax.
A diagnosis can also be made by listening to breath sounds and looking at a chest x-ray, but the observance of an irregular pulse is one of the few differentiating symptoms observable without the aid of medical equipment. In either case, the afflicted person should go to a hospital immediately as both conditions are life-threatening.
Related Articles
- What Pulmonary Problems Cause a Pneumothorax? - explores the common causes of a pneumothorax, including stab and gunshot wounds, as well as genetic defects in the lung lining and barotrauma resulting from scuba diving accidents
- What's the Least Painful Pneumothorax Treatment? - describes the ways in which physicians treat a pneumothorax, including insertion of a chest tube and a surgical procedure known as a pleurodesis in which part of the lung is removed and the remainder is attached to the chest wall
- What Does Spontaneous Pneumothorax Really Mean? - details the supposed causes of this condition for which doctors are often at a loss to explain, includes risk factors for a spontaneous collapsed lung such as a certain body type
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
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