Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDs) Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is ARDS?
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome – a life-threatening condition involving acute lung inflammation and alveolar capillary injury.
What does ARDS damage?
Both pulmonary capillary endothelium and alveolar epithelium.
What does damaged alveolar epithelium lead to?
Increased alveolar-capillary permeability and decreased surfactant production.
What does a decrease in surfactant production lead to?
Bacterial infection and pneumonia.
What is atelectasis?
A condition where part or all of the lung collapses, often due to blockage, pressure, or lack of surfactant.
What is lung compliance?
The ability of the lungs to stretch and expand.
What does damaged pulmonary capillary endothelium lead to?
Inflammatory response → increased permeability → fluid leakage to alveoli → pulmonary oedema.
What are predisposing factors for ARDS?
Inhalation of toxic gases, aspiration of gastric contents, sepsis, chemical mediators from systemic disease.
How can respiratory failure from ARDS lead to MODS?
Poor tissue perfusion due to hypoxia and low O₂ → systemic inflammatory response.
What are clinical manifestations of ARDS?
Dyspnoea, hypoxaemia, crackles, tachycardia, rapid shallow breathing, infiltrates on CXR with no evidence of heart failure.
What is the treatment for ARDS?
Supportive care, maintain tissue oxygenation, avoid further pulmonary complications, mechanical ventilation with high PEEP.
What is PEEP?
Positive End Expiratory Pressure – keeps alveoli open and increases space for gas exchange.
Define inhalation disorders
Inhalation of toxic gases causing inflammation of airways, alveolar and capillary damage → pulmonary oedema.
What are symptoms of inhalation disorders?
Hypoxaemia, burning of eyes/nose/throat, cough, chest tightness, dyspnoea.
What is the treatment for inhalation disorders?
Oxygen, mechanical ventilation, cardiovascular system support.
What is pneumoconiosis?
A lung condition caused by dust particles (e.g., coal, asbestos) leading to inflammation and fibrosis.
How does pneumoconiosis cause fibrosis?
Dust deposits cause chronic inflammation and scarring of alveoli, reducing lung compliance and causing pulmonary deterioration.
What is the treatment for pneumoconiosis?
Palliative – to reduce and manage symptoms.
How can we diagnose for ARD’s?
Through a chest X-ray to see infiltration of the alveoli with no evidence of heart failure.
What is a pulmonary function test (PFT)?
A group of tests that measure lung volume, airflow, and gas exchange to assess how well the lungs are working.
What is FEV1?
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second – the amount of air exhaled in the first second of a forced breath.
What is FVC?
Forced Vital Capacity – the total amount of air exhaled during a full forced breath.
How are FEV1 and FVC used in testing?
The FEV1/FVC ratio helps distinguish obstructive (low ratio) from restrictive (normal ratio with low volumes) lung diseases.
