Atelectasis natural history, complications and prognosis

If left untreated, atelectasis may be fatal in patients and progress to pneumonia, sepsis, and respiratory failure. Common complications of atelectasis include pneumonia, bronchiectasis, hypoxemia, respiratory failure, and sepsis. Depending on the extent of lung involvement at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as good. Involvement of a small portion of the lung is not associated with life threatening complications, as the remaining lung compensates for the hypoxemia. However, atelectasis is associated with poor prognosis if the surface area of lung involvement is very large, in the presence of pre-existing lung disease, in case of failure to remove obstruction and in case of atelectasis due to cancer.

• The symptoms of atelectasis typically develop postoperatively or due to foreign body aspiration, mechanical ventilation or obstructive causes.^[1]
• If left untreated, atelectasis may be fatal in patients and progress to pneumonia, sepsis, and respiratory failure.^[2]

• Common complications of atelectasis include:^[2]
  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Hypoxemia
  • Respiratory failure
  • Sepsis
  • Pleural effusion
  • Empyema

• Depending on the extent of lung involvement at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as good.^[3]
• Involvement of a small portion of the lung is not associated with life threatening complications, as the remaining lung compensates for the hypoxemia.
• The presence of atelectasis is associated with a particularly good prognosis among patients who develop symptoms postoperatively.
• Atelectasis is associated with poor prognosis in the following scenarios:^[3]
  • Surface area of lung involvement is very large
  • In the presence of pre-existing lung disease
  • Failure to remove obstruction in case of obstructive atelectasis
  • Atelectasis due to cancer

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