Respiratory failure Flashcards
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Increased permeability of alveolar capillaries leading to fluid accumulation in the alveoli
Mortality around 40%
Causes of ARDS
Infection (sepsis, pneumonia)
Massive blood transfusion
Trauma
Smoke inhalation
Acute pancreatitis
Covid-19
Cardio-pulmonary bypass
Clinical features of ARDS
Dyspnoea
Elevated resp rate
Bilateral lung crackles
Low oxygen sats
Investigations for ARDS
Chest xray
ABG
Criteria for diagnosis
Acute onset (within 1 week of a known risk factor)
Pulmonary oedema (bilateral infiltrates on chest xray)
Non-caridogenic
pO2/Fi)2 <40kPa
Management of ARDS
Management in ITU
Oxygenation/ ventilation to support hypoxaemia
General organ support (vasopressins as needed)
Treatment of underlying cause
Prone positioning and muscle relxation