Shifting the paradigm: unilateral infiltrates and ARDS?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may present in up to 10% of patients admitted to the intensive care unit and is associated with high mortality [1]. According to a prospective, international, and multicentre cohort conducted by LUNG SAFE investigators, patients with ARDS face a mortality that ranges from approximately 35% in mild cases to 46% in severe cases. Currently, the Berlin definition is the accepted definition and classification of ARDS [2]. The classification comprises severity stratification of ARDS per PaO2/FIO2 (arterial oxygen tension to fraction of inspired oxygen) ratio by three categories: mild, moderate and severe. An imperative characteristic of the definition is the presence of bilateral infiltrates (not due to congestive heart failure, CHF) in a chest radiograph or computed tomography (CT) scan, and a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of at least 5 cmH2O.
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Editorials Source Type: research