Table 2 Physiological effects and risks in the critically ill morbidly obese patient
From: Clinical review: Ventilatory strategies for obstetric, brain-injured and obese patients
Respiratory | Reduced lung volumes |
|---|---|
|  | Atelectasis and ventilation–perfusion mismatch |
| Â | Increased work of breathing and oxygen consumption |
| Â | Obstructive airways disease (mechanical and asthma) |
| Â | Obstructive sleep apnea |
| Â | Obesity hypoventilation syndrome |
Cardiovascular | Coronary artery disease |
| Â | Hypertension |
| Â | Systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction |
| Â | Pulmonary arterial hypertension |
| Â | Obesity supine death syndrome |
Other | Diabetes mellitus |
| Â | Increased risk of venous thromboembolism |
| Â | Increase risk of gastric acid aspiration |
| Â | Altered drug pharmacokinetics |
| Â | Difficult venous access |
| Â | Increased risk of renal failure |
| Â | Increased risk of pressure ulcers |