Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Non-cardiogenic pumonary oedema

Question 2

Cause

Answer 2

Normally in critically ill patients

Sepsis

Question 3

Investigations

Answer 3

CXR: bilateral alveolar infiltrates with no other signs of heart failure (e.g. Kerley B lines)
+ so normal cardiac to thoracic ratio (less than 0.5)

Question 4

Examination findings

Answer 4

Bilateral fine crackles with no other signs of heart failure

Question 5

Management

Answer 5

Escalate to ITU