ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

Course overview

ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME (ARDS) IS A LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION CHARACTERIZED BY POOR OXYGENATION AND NON-COMPLIANT OR "STIFF" LUNGS. THE DISORDER IS ASSOCIATED WITH CAPILLARY ENDOTHELIAL INJURY AND DIFFUSE ALVEOLAR DAMAGE. ONCE ARDS DEVELOPS, PATIENTS USUALLY HAVE VARYING DEGREES OF PULMONARY ARTERY VASOCONSTRICTION AND MAY SUBSEQUENTLY DEVELOP PULMONARY HYPERTENSION. ARDS CARRIES A HIGH MORTALITY, AND FEW EFFECTIVE THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES EXIST TO AMELIORATE THIS DEADLY CONDITION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE CLINICAL PRESENTATION, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME AND HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF COORDINATED INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAMWORK IN CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.