Understanding Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

ARDS is a spectrum of disease that progresses from mild to moderate to its most severe form.

Acute lung injury is a term used to describe moderate ARDS.

ARDS is characterized by an elevated left atrial pressure.

ARDS has been associated with a mortality rate ranging from 15% to 30%.

Inflammatory triggers in ARDS cause injury to the alveolar capillary membrane.

Blood returning to the lung for gas exchange is pumped through the ventilated, functioning areas of the lung.

ARDS closely resembles mild pulmonary edema in its clinical manifestations.

The acute phase of ARDS is marked by a gradual onset of severe dyspnea.

ARDS is classified based on the severity of hypoxemia, with mild ARDS having PaO2/FIO2 ratio > 300 mm Hg.

Findings on chest x-ray in ARDS are visible as unilateral infiltrates that quickly improve.

Patients in ARDS may have increased alveolar dead space due to poor ventilation and perfusion mismatch.

In ARDS, patients typically have increased pulmonary compliance, making it easy to ventilate their lungs.

Intercostal retractions and crackles are common physical examination findings in patients with ARDS.

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are not useful in distinguishing ARDS from cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Transthoracic echocardiography is always the first-choice diagnostic test for patients with potential ARDS.

What is a common physical examination finding in patients with ARDS as mentioned in the text?

Which diagnostic test is helpful in distinguishing ARDS from cardiogenic pulmonary edema?

What is a key characteristic of the patient in the recovery phase of ARDS?

What do patients with ARDS typically experience in terms of alveolar dead space?

What issue do patients with ARDS commonly face in terms of pulmonary compliance?

What is a common symptom seen in patients with ARDS?

Which factor is NOT associated with the development of ARDS?

What is a significant complication that patients with ARDS may die from?

Which term is commonly used to describe mild ARDS?

What structural damage occurs in the lungs of patients with ARDS due to inflammatory triggers?

What is the main reason for the severe, refractory hypoxemia in ARDS?

How does ARDS differ from cardiogenic pulmonary edema in terms of arterial hypoxemia?

Which characteristic finding on chest x-ray is common in both ARDS and cardiogenic pulmonary edema?

How is ARDS classified based on the severity of hypoxemia?

What happens to mild ARDS as it progresses?