Guide To The Causes And Risk Factors Of Atelectasis

Mucus Plug

Atelectasis may be caused by a mucus plug that has formed inside an individual's lung. A healthy individual has a certain amount of mucus the lungs produce to carry out normal immune defense processes. Mucus is a blend of water, lipids, mucins, ions, and proteins. When an individual has lungs that abnormally produce an excessive amount of mucus, or that produce abnormally thick and sticky mucus, they can develop a mucus plug in the lung. The mucus plug causes a blockage in the airways that results in obstructive atelectasis. One of the most common causes for a mucus plug in the airway is attributed to patients who have recently undergone a surgical procedure. The anesthesia used during surgery causes the lungs to increase their bronchial mucus secretions. An individual who has undergone abdominal surgery will also experience shallow breathing and weakening of the muscles that control the lungs. A combination of the excess mucus production and weakened muscles can allow for a mucus plug to form large enough to obstruct the airway. Patients affected by cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and several other conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing atelectasis caused by a mucus plug.

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Chest Trauma

Anyone who has experienced chest trauma is at a greater risk of developing atelectasis. There are several mechanisms that cause an increase in risk. When an individual experiences severe blunt trauma to their chest, such as from a car collision or high fall, tissue injury can cause blood and proteins to leak into the airways supplying the alveoli. These substances obstruct the airway, effectively stopping the alveoli from receiving inhaled air. Swelling as a result of general chest trauma can cause tissues in the lung to compress against each other and stop the flow of air to the alveoli. Blunt trauma to the chest causes the alveoli in the area to become unstable and at a greater risk of collapsing. An individual who has experienced chest trauma that has formed significant scarring inside of the lungs can develop obstructive atelectasis when the scar tissue obstructs an airway. Penetrating trauma to the chest can cause a leakage of air out of the lung, causing the alveoli to collapse due to an absence of air. Chest trauma can cause fluids or blood to leak into the membrane that surrounds the lungs, causing an increase of external pressure on the lungs. The external pressure compresses the airways and can cause an obstruction. Patients taking respiratory suppressing pain medications during trauma recovery, or who have had surgery to treat their trauma are at a higher risk of atelectasis.

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