Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), previously known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), adult respiratory distress syndrome, or shock lung, is a medical condition occurring in critically ill patients characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs.ARDS is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood. Infants can also have respiratory distress syndrome.

Causes

• Breathing vomit into the lungs (aspiration)
• Inhaling chemicals
• Lung transplant
• Pneumonia
• Septic shock (infection throughout the body)
• Trauma 

Symptoms

Symptoms usually develop within 24 to 48 hours of the injury or illness. Often, people with ARDS are so sick they cannot complain of symptoms. Symptoms can include any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• Low blood pressure and organ failure
• Rapid breathing
• Shortness of breath

Investigations to diagnose ARDS include:

• Arterial blood gas
• Blood tests, including CBC and blood chemistries
• Blood and urine cultures
• Bronchoscopy in some people
• Chest x-ray
• Sputum cultures and analysis
• Tests for possible infections

An echocardiogram may be needed to rule out heart failure, which can look similar to ARDS on a chest x-ray.

Treatment

ARDS often needs to be treated in an intensive care unit (ICU).
The goal of treatment is to provide breathing support and treat the cause of ARDS. This may involve medicines to treat infections, reduce inflammation, and remove fluid from the lungs.
A ventilator is used to deliver high doses of oxygen and positive pressure to the damaged lungs. People often need to be deeply sedated with medicines. During treatment, health care providers make every effort to protect the lungs from further damage. Treatment is mainly supportive until the lungs recover.

 

 

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