Access to free airways is the first consideration in emergency situations, such as at the
scene of an accident, and respiratory emergencies represent an important part of acute
medicine in general. Respiratory problems also play a crucial part in critical care
medicine and constitute an important share of the numerous problems in an intensive
care unit. As breathing difficulties are experienced with anguish, these symptoms can
generally be very frightening, particularly to those suffering from them. It seems
reasonable to assume that respiratory emergencies are mostly handled by physicians
specialised in respiratory diseases. However, this is far from the case and the tradition in
this regard varies from country to country. In some countries, there is close collaboration
between respiratory and intensive care units, whereas in other countries this
collaboration is occurs less frequently. It may also be problematic finding novel
scientific achievements within the field of respiratory emergencies since there is no clear
forum for these kinds of publications. The number of scientific papers emphasising
respiratory emergencies finding their way into respiratory journals is not overwhelming,
which is a pity and is something that we could, and should, try to change in the future.
As a result, those interested in respiratory emergencies who are searching for compiled
information focused in this field have to put in a great deal of work seeking information
from various sources. Therefore, it is very satisfying and a great pleasure to announce
this issue of European Respiratory Monograph on respiratory emergencies. In this issue of
the monograph, different aspects of respiratory emergencies have been covered by the
best specialists in the field. The Monograph gives insights into acute respiratory events
due to exacerbations of obstructive pulmonary diseases, infections, accidents,
neuromuscular disorders, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and much else. It is my
hope that it will reach many readers and that it may help to throw a bridge across
between specialists in respiratory and intensive care medicine.
