Aspiration pneumonia

PREVIEW

Aspiration is a common disorder that causes a high rate of morbidity and often death when not treated promptly. Therefore, early recognition is crucial for improving outcomes. The key, however, is to recognize predisposing factors and to modify them if possible to prevent development of an aspiration syndrome. In this article, the authors discuss the pathophysiologic factors involved, the three distinct types of aspiration syndrome, appropriate management, and preventive strategies.