Acute/adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS):
Form of pulmonary oedema – can rapidly lead to respiratory failure
Trauma is most common cause; others include anaphylaxis, aspiration of gastric contents, drug overdose, near drowning
Clinical features:
History of recent injury with increase in dyspnoea; cyanosis; tachypnoea; increased pulse rate; peripheral vasodilatation
Management – circulatory and respiratory support; antibiotics of any infection
Comments are closed.