What does stridor indicate in a patient?

Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by disrupted airflow, typically indicating a partial obstruction of the upper airway. This sound is often heard during inspiration and suggests that there is a narrowing or blockage that is affecting the incoming airflow. Conditions such as croup, anaphylaxis, or foreign body aspiration can lead to stridor by constricting the upper airway.

Recognizing stridor is crucial for paramedics and healthcare providers, as it signals a potentially urgent situation that may require immediate intervention to secure the airway. Ensuring adequate airflow is vital for oxygenation and overall patient safety.

Understanding this clinical sign helps differentiate it from other conditions, such as normal airflow, which produces no abnormal sounds, or lower respiratory distress, associated with the lower airways and presenting differently, usually with wheezing rather than stridor.