Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Academic Term

Fall 2014

Document Type

Project

Course Number

NURS 5330

Course Name

Advanced Pathophysiology

Professor’s Name

John D. Chovan, James R. Cacchillo

Keywords

Bronchial Casts, Treatment

Subject Categories

Medical Pathology | Nursing | Respiratory Tract Diseases

Abstract

Plastic bronchitis is a condition characterized by the formation of bronchial casts ranging from small to large obstructions of the pulmonary airways. Cast formation is intricate and resembles a plastic, rubbery model of the airway it obstructs. Its form was first described by Galen (A.D. 131-200). One of the patient populations at risk for developing this rare complication are those with single ventricle disease who are surgically corrected to Fontan physiology. It is a very abnormal type of circulation that is suspect in the development of plastic bronchitis. The cellular composition of plastic bronchitis differs from the casts seen in patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or lymphatic disorders of the lung and, as a result, complete airway obstruction may occur more quickly with a resultant life- threatening and possibly fatal event. Bronchial casts may also be seen in other disease states such as sickle cell disease, metastatic lung tumors, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, thalassemia alpha, and inhalation injuries (Do, Randhawa, Chin, Parsapour, & Nussbaum, 2012). Tissue plasminogen activator in an aerosolized form has shown to be effective therapy in most cases. The following information is an update on the adaptation of this therapy in the last 5 years.

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