Respiratory disorders: Acute Lung Injury and ARDS

Question 1

What phases are associated with patients suspected of ARDS?

Answer 1

0 - 6 days = exudative phase, protein and eosinophilic rich edema

4 - 10 days = proliferation phase, decrease in edema with increase in interstitial fibrosis

Day 8 and onward = fibrotic phase, pronounced fibrosis that may ultimately obliterate areas of the lungs

Question 2

True or False: Therapy for patients with ALI/ ARDS is primarily supportive, with no specific drug therapy associated with an improved outcome.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What criteria are used for identification fo ALI in dogs?

Answer 3

• Preexisting severe acute illness or injury
• Increased respiratory rate and effort
• Bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on diagnostic imaging
• Hypoxemia on room air, or in the presence of oxygen supplementation

Question 4

What considerations should be considered in patients with ALI/ ARDS?

Answer 4

Bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary thromboembolism