ABSTRACT
Early tachypnea and dyspnea, followed by progressive hypoxemic respiratory failure Bilateral alveolar edema on chest radiograph Decreased lung volumes (FRC, TLC) Decreased lung compliance (<40 ml/cm H2O) Hypoxemia resistant to high oxygen concentrations (PaO2/FiO2 <200 torr) Normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (<18 mmHg) and lack of atrial hypertension Signs of chronic lung injury and fibrosis may be apparent in later stage of disease Abbreviations: FRC, functional residual capacity; TLC, total lung capacity; compliance, ∆V/∆P. Important predisposing conditons for ARDS are given in Table 10-2. Source: Adapted from Ref. 377.
