Early Respiratory Abnormalities From Smoke Inhalation

PULMONARY insufficiency as a result of the inhalation of hot air and smoke is the major cause of death among fire victims, accounting for more than 50% of fire-related deaths. This amounts to approximately 7,000 deaths each year in the United States. Although many die at the scene, a substantial number of these patients with inhalation injuries arrive at a medical facility alive. A number of burn centers located in densely populated urban areas have reported that 20% to 35% of patients admitted have major smoke-related pulmonary injuries.1-4In centers such as ours where there is an urban-rural population referral base, 10% to 15% of the patients suffer from inhalation injuries.5 An early diagnosis with initiation of appropriate therapy may well result in a substantial increase in survival.5,6Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of the smoke-inhalation lung injury has made it possible to make the diagnosis and