Seminars in perinatology
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a serious sequelae of many serious illnesses during pregnancy. An understanding of acute respiratory distress syndrome is central to the proper care of a patient with the disorder. Acute respiratory distress syndrome results in diminished pulmonary compliance and respiratory shunt mediated hypoxemia. ⋯ Limitation of peak-plateau airway pressure to less than 35 to 40 cm H2O may reduce barotrauma. Inflammatory mediator therapy may hold future promise in attenuation of lung injury induced by acute respiratory distress syndrome. Aggressive care may help those pregnant patients afflicted with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
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Pulmonary edema, a serious complication of pregnancy and the puerperium, can result in maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary edema in pregnancy can be categorized by the primary mechanisms from which it results. ⋯ These factors explain many of the common settings of pulmonary edema, including preeclampsia, tocolysis, and cardiac disease. This article will discuss the etiology and pathophysiology of pulmonary edema, how pregnancy influences it, and issues in its management.
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Seminars in perinatology · Aug 1997
ReviewHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related pulmonary complications in pregnancy.
With changes in the demographics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, women and children are becoming the fastest growing group of newly infected patients. With longer survival after HIV infection, more women infected with HIV are becoming pregnant. Pulmonary disease is one of the most common presenting conditions in an AIDS-defining illness. ⋯ The most important effect of pregnancy on these conditions remains the delay in diagnosis and treatment. A high index of suspicion should, therefore, be maintained. In addition, most prophylactic measures recommended in nonpregnant HIV-infected individuals also apply to pregnant women.
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Seminars in perinatology · Aug 1997
ReviewCardio-respiratory physiological adaptation of pregnancy.
Significant physiological adaptations during pregnancy contribute to its successful outcome. These occur early in the pregnancy and continue throughout gestation, with complete reversal after delivery. ⋯ Adequate understanding of these normal changes is essential in the assessment of all pregnancies and in the management of those with complications. This article reviews the cardiovascular and pulmonary changes that occur during a normal gestation.