Asphyxia and Anoxia Dr Abdulmonem AlHayani MBCh B

Asphyxia and Anoxia Dr. Abdulmonem Al-Hayani MBCh. B, Dip. FMS(Lon), Ph. D(Aber) 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 1

Dead at Fire The body of a 32 years old female Nurse (Fiona) was recovered from her house, after a huge fire that destroyed the whole hose. Police investigations revealed that the fire was not an accident. l What Questions you would like to ask more? l How did Fiona Passed Away? l 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 2

Outcome=Aims=Goals Why this lecture? l Definitions of Asphyxia and Anoxia? l Signs of Asphyxia? l Types of Asphyxia (Causes) l Common examples of Anoxia and Asphyxia l 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 3

Why this lecture? 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 4

Definition of Asphyxia Situations in which there is an obstruction to breathing l Body will be deprived to O 2 l Either no air or insufficient air getting into the body l 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 5

Definition of Anoxia l Anoxia = Hypoxia 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 6

Definition of Anoxia l l 1. 2. 3. 4. 9/10/2020 Failure of O 2 which is already in the body to get into the tissues Causes of anoxia: Shock Anemia CO poisoning Heroin intoxication Dr. Al-Hayani 7

Signs of Asphyxia Congestion 9/10/2020 Cyanosis Dr. Al-Hayani Petechail Hemorrhage 8

Types (causes) of Asphyxia 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9/10/2020 Environmental Crush Asphyxia Suffocation/Smothering Positional Asphyxia Chocking Compression of the Neck Hanging/Strangulation Dr. Al-Hayani 9

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Example of Asphyxia 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 19

Drowning l l l 9/10/2020 Where? Sea River Canal Bath others Dr. Al-Hayani 20

Drowning l 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9/10/2020 Body recovered dead? Death before entering water (concealment of homicide) Immersion True drowning Death in water from other causes (heart diseases, trauma) Hypothermia Dr. Al-Hayani 21

True drowning (Asphyxia) l 1. 2. 3. 9/10/2020 Phases of drowning: Breath holds Inhalation of water, coughing, vomiting and loss of consciousness Convulsions, respiratory arrest then cardiac arrest Dr. Al-Hayani 22

Drowning l 1. 2. 9/10/2020 Types? Fresh water Sea water Dr. Al-Hayani 23

Autopsy signs of Drowning l 1. 2. 3. 4. 9/10/2020 Classical signs only in 35% of cases Froth in nose and mouth Pulmonary edema Overdistention of lungs Dry drowning Dr. Al-Hayani 24

Autopsy signs of Drowning 5. Middle ear hemorrhage 6. Chemical tests (unreliable) 7. Non-specific changes of immersion 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 25

Autopsy signs of Drowning l The best sign is: 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 26

Example of Anoxia 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 27

Fire Fumes l l 1. 2. 3. 4. 9/10/2020 Commonest cause of death in fires Autopsy signs of fire fumes inhalation: Burns to air passages SOOT Pulmonary edema Toxins in blood e. g. cyanide, plastics chemicals etc… Dr. Al-Hayani 28

The most useful sign is 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 29

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Key Lesson As a GP you will see many cases of Asphyxia and Anoxia, so please think about a possibility of crime when you see such cases 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 32

Questions & Comments 9/10/2020 Dr. Al-Hayani 33