Atelectasis natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

If left untreated, [#]% of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].

OR

Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

OR

Prognosis is generally excellent/good/poor, and the 1/5/10-year mortality/survival rate of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#]%.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

• The symptoms of atelectasis typically develop postoperatively or due to foreign body aspiration, mechanical ventilation or obstructive causes.
• If left untreated, atelectasis may be fatal in patients and progress to pneumonia, sepsis, and respiratory failure.

Complications

• Common complications of atelectasis include:
  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Hypoxemia
  • Respiratory failure
  • Sepsis
  • Pleural effusion
  • Empyema

Prognosis

• Depending on the extent of lung involvement at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as good.
• Involvement of a small portion of the lung is not associated with life threatening complications, as the remaining lung compensates for the hypoxemia.
• The presence of atelectasis is associated with a particularly good prognosis among patients who develop symptoms postoperatively.
• Atelectasis is associated with poor prognosis in the following scenarios:
  • Surface area of lung involvement is very large
  • In the presence of pre-existing lung disease
  • Failure to remove obstruction in case of obstructive atelectasis
  • Atelectasis due to cancer