Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Flashcards
What is another name for ARDS?
Post traumatic lung
ARDS is associated with severe damage of what structures?
Alveoli and capillaries
How does a lung with ARDS appear?
Rubbery
What are 4 possible causes of ARDS?
- Aspiration (gastric content in lungs)
- Near drowning
- ↑ smoke inhalation
- Severe burns
What is the patho of ARDS?
long one
Lung trauma → inflammation cell influx → free radical and proteases released → damage to
alveoli and capillaries (secondary form of injury which exacerbates the inflammation → further
inflammation) → ↑ permeability → proteins, cells and fluid enter alveoli → edema → loss of
compliance (inability to move air into and out of lungs easily) and impaired gas exchange
T or F:
Gas exchange is compromised in ARDS, but ventilation remains fine
F, both are compromised
Is there consolidation with ARDS?
Yes, extensive consolidation
What condition results from a loss of surfactant?
Atelectasis
What is the normal role of surfactant?
Surfactant lines the alveoli so that when the alveoli empty the walls will not stick together
Why is there a loss of surfactant in ARDS?
- Decrease in production d/t damage to surfactant producing cells
- Surfactant that is produced is inactivated by proteases which damage the surfactant, and
the free radicals inactivate it
How would you describe the exudate that lines alveoli in ARDS, forming an impervious hyaline membrane
Thick and protein rich
ARDS causes profound _________
Hypoxemia
Mnfts of ARDS?
- Very severe respiratory distress
- Tachypnea
- Dyspnea
- ↑ hypoxemia
- Pulmonary HTN
- Early respiratory alkalosis
- Late metabolic acidosis
- Multi organ failure
Why is there pulmonary HTN with ARDS?
Hypoxia in the lungs has a compensatory mechanism of vasoconstriction causing pulmonary HTN
Why is there early respiratory alkalosis with ARDS?
Due to tachypnea/hyperventilation; respiratory because of volatile acid = carbonic acid
