is
severe,
life-threatening
medical
condition
characterized
by
2. Etiology/causes of ARD
1) Aspiration (gastric secretions, drowning)
2) Drug ingestion and overdose
3) Hematologic disorders
4) Prolonged inhalation of high concentrations of oxygen, smoke, or
corrosive substances
5) Localized infection (bacterial, fungal, viral pneumonia)
6) Metabolic disorders (pancreatitis, uremia)
7) Shock (any cause)
8) Trauma (pulmonary contusion, multiple fractures, head injury)
9) Major surgery
10)
11)
Systemic sepsis
3. Pathophysiology of ARD
Injury to the lungs reduces blood flow to the lungs allowing platelets to
aggregate. Platelets release histamine ,these substances inflame and
damage the alveolar membrane and later increase capillary
permeability. The progression of events can be divided into three stages :-
Exudative
Proliferative
Fibrotic
1) Exudative
During this phase, the capillary membrane begins to leak, and proteinrich fluid fills the alveoli, profoundly disrupting the gas exchange .
Neutrophils begin to attach to the damaged membrane and may cross
2) Proliferative phase
3) Fibrotic phase
d. Bronchoscopy
e. Chest x-ray
f. Sputum cultures and analysis
g. Tests for possible infections
8. Complication of ARD
Since ARDS is an extremely serious condition which requires invasive
forms of therapy it is not without risk. Complications to be considered
are:
1) Multiple organ failure
2) Ventilator associated pneumonia
3) Death
4) Possible surgical intervention
5) Tracheostomy for prolonged respiratory failure
9. Define ET intubation