Pulmonology

Question 1

What is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?

Answer 1

Diffuse injury of the pulmonary microvascular endothelium and/or the alveolar epithelium >> increased pulmonary capillary permeability and a leaky alveolocapillary membrane

• Interstitial and intra-alveolar edema
• Inflammation
• Intra-alveolar hyaline membrane formation

>> Decreased lung compliance
>> Increased work of breathing
>> Decreased oxygen diffusion capacity of the lung
>> VQ mismatch if there is regional atelectasis