Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Transthoracic Echocardiography to Assess Post-Resuscitation Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Arrest in Pigs
08:19

Transthoracic Echocardiography to Assess Post-Resuscitation Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Arrest in Pigs

Published on: July 12, 2022

Transient ventricular dysfunction after an asphyxiation event: stress or hypoxia?

Mary E Valletta1, Ikram Haque, Faris Al-Mousily

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Shands Children Hospital at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. valleme@peds.ufl.edu

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine : a Journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies
|November 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric patients experiencing airway obstruction and asphyxiation may develop myocardial dysfunction. Early screening for cardiac issues is crucial, especially when pulmonary edema is present.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

  • Acute upper airway obstruction can lead to asphyxiation, a critical event in pediatric care.
  • Pulmonary edema is often attributed to noncardiogenic causes following airway obstruction.
  • Myocardial dysfunction is an underrecognized complication in children after such events.

Observation:

  • A case report details a 10-year-old girl with no prior medical history who developed acute myocardial dysfunction and flash pulmonary edema after airway obstruction.
  • Diagnostic evaluations included serial echocardiograms, an exercise stress test, and coronary angiography.
  • Biomarkers such as pro-brain natriuretic peptide, troponins, and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) were monitored.

Findings:

  • The patient exhibited signs of acute myocardial dysfunction and pulmonary edema.
  • Cardiac biomarkers showed initial elevations, with troponin normalizing within 7 days.
  • The patient was discharged on metoprolol, with ongoing cardiac monitoring planned.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for acquired myocardial dysfunction in pediatric patients with severe hypoxic events, particularly those with pulmonary edema.
  • Prompt cardiac evaluation is essential for appropriate management and support.
  • Early consideration of adrenergic receptor blockade may be beneficial in managing pediatric myocardial dysfunction post-asphyxiation.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Piglet Perinatal Asphyxia Model to Study Cardiac Injury and Hemodynamics after Cardiac Arrest, Resuscitation, and the Return of Spontaneous Circulation10:55

A Piglet Perinatal Asphyxia Model to Study Cardiac Injury and Hemodynamics after Cardiac Arrest, Resuscitation, and the Return of Spontaneous Circulation

Published on: January 13, 2023

Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine05:36

Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine

Published on: January 30, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Acute Respiratory Failure-II01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-II

Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction01:26

Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...
Hypoxia01:23

Hypoxia

Hypoxia is a medical condition characterized by an inadequate oxygen supply to body tissues. It typically manifests as a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucosae, especially in fair-skinned individuals, when hemoglobin (Hb) saturation drops below 75%.
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology01:10

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

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...
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.