Acute respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Author(s):  
Luciano Gattinon ◽  
Eleonora Carlesso

Respiratory failure (RF) is defined as the acute or chronic impairment of respiratory system function to maintain normal oxygen and CO2 values when breathing room air. ‘Oxygenation failure’ occurs when O2 partial pressure (PaO2) value is lower than the normal predicted values for age and altitude and may be due to ventilation/perfusion mismatch or low oxygen concentration in the inspired air. In contrast, ‘ventilatory failure’ primarily involves CO2 elimination, with arterial CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) higher than 45 mmHg. The most common causes are exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and neuromuscular fatigue, leading to dyspnoea, tachypnoea, tachycardia, use of accessory muscles of respiration, and altered consciousness. History and arterial blood gas analysis is the easiest way to assess the nature of acute RF and treatment should solve the baseline pathology. In severe cases mechanical ventilation is necessary as a ‘buying time’ therapy. The acute hypoxemic RF arising from widespread diffuse injury to the alveolar-capillary membrane is termed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is the clinical and radiographic manifestation of acute pulmonary inflammatory states.

Author(s):  
Luciano Gattinon ◽  
Eleonora Carlesso

Respiratory failure (RF) is defined as the acute or chronic impairment of respiratory system function to maintain normal oxygen and CO2 values when breathing room air. ‘Oxygenation failure’ occurs when O2 partial pressure (PaO2) value is lower than the normal predicted values for age and altitude and may be due to ventilation/perfusion mismatch or low oxygen concentration in the inspired air. In contrast, ‘ventilatory failure’ primarily involves CO2 elimination, with arterial CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) higher than 45 mmHg. The most common causes are exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and neuromuscular fatigue, leading to dyspnoea, tachypnoea, tachycardia, use of accessory muscles of respiration, and altered consciousness. History and arterial blood gas analysis is the easiest way to assess the nature of acute RF and treatment should solve the baseline pathology. In severe cases mechanical ventilation is necessary as a ‘buying time’ therapy. The acute hypoxemic RF arising from widespread diffuse injury to the alveolar-capillary membrane is termed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is the clinical and radiographic manifestation of acute pulmonary inflammatory states.


Author(s):  
Luciano Gattinoni ◽  
Mattia Busana ◽  
Eleonora Carlesso

Respiratory failure (RF) is defined as the acute or chronic impairment of respiratory system function to maintain normal oxygen and CO2 values when breathing room air. ‘Oxygenation failure’ occurs when O2 partial pressure (PaO2) value is lower than the normal predicted values for age and altitude and may be due to ventilation/perfusion mismatch or low oxygen concentration in the inspired air. In contrast, ‘ventilatory failure’ primarily involves CO2 elimination, with arterial CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) higher than 45 mmHg. The most common causes are exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and neuromuscular fatigue, leading to dyspnoea, tachypnoea, tachycardia, use of accessory muscles of respiration, and altered consciousness. History and arterial blood gas analysis is the easiest way to assess the nature of acute RF and treatment should solve the baseline pathology. In severe cases mechanical ventilation is necessary as a ‘buying time’ therapy. The acute hypoxemic RF arising from widespread diffuse injury to the alveolar-capillary membrane is termed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is the clinical and radiographic manifestation of acute pulmonary inflammatory states.


2007 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shang Jyh Kao ◽  
Diana Yu-Wung Yeh ◽  
Hsing I. Chen

FES (fat embolism syndrome) is a clinical problem, and, although ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) has been considered as a serious complication of FES, the pathogenesis of ARDS associated with FES remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the clinical manifestations, and biochemical and pathophysiological changes, in subjects associated with FES and ARDS, to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in this disorder. A total of eight patients with FES were studied, and arterial blood pH, PaO2 (arterial partial pressure of O2), PaCO2 (arterial partial pressure of CO2), biochemical and pathophysiological data were obtained. These subjects suffered from crash injuries and developed FES associated with ARDS, and each died within 2 h after admission. In the subjects, chest radiography revealed that the lungs were clear on admission, and pulmonary infiltration was observed within 2 h of admission. Arterial blood pH and PaO2 declined, whereas PaCO2 increased. Plasma PLA2 (phospholipase A2), nitrate/nitrite, methylguanidine, TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α), IL-1β (interleukin-1β) and IL-10 (interleukin-10) were significantly elevated. Pathological examinations revealed alveolar oedema and haemorrhage with multiple fat droplet depositions and fibrin thrombi. Fat droplets were also found in the arterioles and/or capillaries in the lung, kidney and brain. Immunohistochemical staining identified iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) in alveolar macrophages. In conclusion, our clinical analysis suggests that PLA2, NO, free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of ARDS associated with FES. The major source of NO is the alveolar macrophages.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e000232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karlijn J P van Wessem ◽  
Luke P H Leenen

BackgroundThe incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has decreased in the last decade by improvement in trauma and critical care. However, it still remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the current incidence and mortality of ARDS in polytrauma patients.MethodsA 4.5-year prospective study included consecutive trauma patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center intensive care unit (ICU). Isolated head injuries, drowning, asphyxiation, burns, and deaths <48 hours were excluded. Demographics, Injury Severity Score (ISS), physiologic parameters, resuscitation parameters, Denver Multiple Organ Failure scores, and ARDS data according to Berlin criteria were prospectively collected. Data are presented as median (IQR), and p<0.05 was considered significant.Results241 patients were included. The median age was 45 (27–59) years, 178 (74%) were male, the ISS was 29 (22–36), and 232 (96%) patients had blunt injuries. Thirty-one patients (13%) died. Fifteen patients (6%) developed ARDS. The median time to ARDS onset was 3 (2–5) days after injury. The median duration of ARDS was 2.5 (1–3.5) days. All patients with ARDS were male compared with 61% of non-ARDS patients (p=0.003). Patients who developed ARDS had higher ISS (30 vs. 25, p=0.01), lower Partial Pressure of Oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) both in the emergency department and ICU, and higher Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide in arterial blood (PaCo2) in the ICU. Patients with ARDS needed more crystalloids <24 hours (8.7 vs. 6.8 L, p=0.03), received more fresh frozen plasma <24 hours (3 vs. 0 U, p=0.04), and more platelet <8 hours and <24 hours. Further, they stayed longer on the ventilator (11 vs. 2 days, p<0.001), longer in the ICU (12 vs. 3 days, p<0.001), and in the hospital (33 vs. 15 days, p=0.004). Patients with ARDS developed more often multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (40% vs. 3%, p<0.001) and died more often (20% vs. 3%, p=0.01). Only one patient with ARDS (7%) died of ARDS.DiscussionIn this polytrauma population mortality was predominantly caused by brain injury. The incidence of ARDS was low; its presentation was only early onset, during a short time period, and accompanied by low mortality.Level of evidenceLevel III.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. e229350
Author(s):  
Afroditi Roumpou ◽  
Ioanna Papaioannou ◽  
Christos Lampropoulos

A 35-year-old male patient reached the emergency department after an episode of massive haemoptysis a few hours ago. Fever and dyspnea were mentioned to be present the last 5 days. His medical history included only malaria, successfully treated 2 years ago. Clinical examination revealed high fever, jaundice, cyanosis, tachypnea and bilateral rales on pulmonary auscultation. Laboratory investigation showed high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein, leucocytosis, anaemia, mild thrombocytopaenia, renal impairment, hyperbilirubinaemia and abnormal liver function tests; arterial blood gas analysis showed respiratory alkalosis with severe hypoxia. Thoracic X-ray revealed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, whereas abdominal and heart ultrasound detected hepatomegaly and small pericardial infusion, respectively. The diagnosis of leptospirosis along with acute respiratory distress syndrome was confirmed by positive IgMLeptospiraantibodies. Empirical treatment with triple antibiotic therapy and corticosteroids was applied. The patient was discharged after 1 week, without any symptoms and with almost normal laboratory tests.


Critical Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Robba ◽  
◽  
Lorenzo Ball ◽  
Denise Battaglini ◽  
Danilo Cardim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the effectiveness of ventilatory rescue strategies remains uncertain, with controversial efficacy on systemic oxygenation and no data available regarding cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics. Methods This is a prospective observational study conducted at San Martino Policlinico Hospital, Genoa, Italy. We included adult COVID-19 patients who underwent at least one of the following rescue therapies: recruitment maneuvers (RMs), prone positioning (PP), inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), and extracorporeal carbon dioxide (CO2) removal (ECCO2R). Arterial blood gas values (oxygen saturation [SpO2], partial pressure of oxygen [PaO2] and of carbon dioxide [PaCO2]) and cerebral oxygenation (rSO2) were analyzed before (T0) and after (T1) the use of any of the aforementioned rescue therapies. The primary aim was to assess the early effects of different ventilatory rescue therapies on systemic and cerebral oxygenation. The secondary aim was to evaluate the correlation between systemic and cerebral oxygenation in COVID-19 patients. Results Forty-five rescue therapies were performed in 22 patients. The median [interquartile range] age of the population was 62 [57–69] years, and 18/22 [82%] were male. After RMs, no significant changes were observed in systemic PaO2 and PaCO2 values, but cerebral oxygenation decreased significantly (52 [51–54]% vs. 49 [47–50]%, p < 0.001). After PP, a significant increase was observed in PaO2 (from 62 [56–71] to 82 [76–87] mmHg, p = 0.005) and rSO2 (from 53 [52–54]% to 60 [59–64]%, p = 0.005). The use of iNO increased PaO2 (from 65 [67–73] to 72 [67–73] mmHg, p = 0.015) and rSO2 (from 53 [51–56]% to 57 [55–59]%, p = 0.007). The use of ECCO2R decreased PaO2 (from 75 [75–79] to 64 [60–70] mmHg, p = 0.009), with reduction of rSO2 values (59 [56–65]% vs. 56 [53–62]%, p = 0.002). In the whole population, a significant relationship was found between SpO2 and rSO2 (R = 0.62, p < 0.001) and between PaO2 and rSO2 (R0 0.54, p < 0.001). Conclusions Rescue therapies exert specific pathophysiological mechanisms, resulting in different effects on systemic and cerebral oxygenation in critically ill COVID-19 patients with ARDS. Cerebral and systemic oxygenation are correlated. The choice of rescue strategy to be adopted should take into account both lung and brain needs. Registration The study protocol was approved by the ethics review board (Comitato Etico Regione Liguria, protocol n. CER Liguria: 23/2020).


Author(s):  
Renat R. Gubaidullin ◽  
◽  
Aleksandr P. Kuzin ◽  
Vladimir V. Kulakov ◽  
◽  
...  

ntroduction. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an outbreak of viral lung infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome complicated with acute respiratory failure. Despite the fact that the pandemic has a lengthened run, none of the therapeutic approaches have proved to be sufficiently effective according to the evidence-based criteria. We consider the use of surfactant therapy in patients with severe viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as one of the possible methods for treating COVID-19 related pneumonia. Objective. To prove the clinical efficacy and safety of orally inhaled Surfactant-BL, an authorized drug, in the combination therapy of COVID-19 related ARDS. Materials and methods. A total of 38 patients with COVID-19 related severe pneumonia and ARDS were enrolled in the study. Of these, 20 patients received the standard therapy in accordance with the temporary guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, version 9. And 18 patients received the surfactant therapy in addition to the standard therapy. Surfactant-BL was used in accordance with the instructions on how to administer the drug for the indication – prevention of the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. A step-by-step approach to the build-up of the respiratory therapy aggressiveness was used to manage hypoxia. We used oxygen inhalation via a face mask with an oxygen inflow of 5–15 l/min, highflow oxygen therapy via nasal cannulas using Airvo 2 devices, non-invasive lung ventilation, invasive lung ventilation in accordance with the principles of protective mechanical ventilation. Results and discussion. Significant differences in the frequency of transfers to mechanical ventilation, mortality, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospitalization length of stay (p <0.05) were found between the groups. Patients receiving surfactant therapy who required a transfer to mechanical ventilation accounted for 22% of cases, and the mortality rate was 16%. In the group of patients receiving standard therapy without surfactant inhalation 45% were transferred to mechanical ventilation, and 35% died. For patients receiving surfactant therapy, the hospital stay was reduced by 20% on average, and ICU stay by 30%. Conclusion. The inclusion of surfactant therapy in the treatment of COVID-19 related severe pneumonia and ARDS can reduce the progression of respiratory failure, avoid the use of mechanical ventilation, shorten the ICU and hospitalization length of stay, and improve the survival rate of this patient cohort.


2021 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
M Gabrielli ◽  
F Valletta ◽  
F Franceschi ◽  

Ventilatory support is vital for the management of severe forms of COVID-19. Non-invasive ventilation is often used in patients who do not meet criteria for intubation or when invasive ventilation is not available, especially in a pandemic when resources are limited. Despite non-invasive ventilation providing effective respiratory support for some forms of acute respiratory failure, data about its effectiveness in patients with viral-related pneumonia are inconclusive. Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 infection causes life-threatening respiratory failure, weakening the lung parenchyma and increasing the risk of barotrauma. Pulmonary barotrauma results from positive pressure ventilation leading to elevated transalveolar pressure, and in turn to alveolar rupture and leakage of air into the extra-alveolar tissue. This article reviews the literature regarding the use of non-invasive ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure associated with COVID-19 and other epidemic or pandemic viral infections and the related risk of barotrauma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Braira Wahid ◽  
Noshaba Rani ◽  
Muhammad Idrees

Abstract After wreaking havoc on a global level with a total of 5,488,825 confirmed cases and 349,095 deaths as of May 2020, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is truly living up to the expectations of a 21st-century pandemic. Since the major cause of mortality is a respiratory failure from acute respiratory distress syndrome, the only present-day management option is supportive as the transmission relies solely on human-to-human contact. Patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) should be tested for hyper inflammation to screen those for whom immunosuppression can increases chances of survival. As more and more clinical data surfaces, it suggests patients with mild or severe cytokine storms are at greater risk of failing fatally and hence these cytokine storms should be targets for treatment in salvaging COVID-19 patients.


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