British journal of hospital medicine
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Since its description 20 years ago, the mortality from ARDS has remained largely unchanged despite improved intensive care techniques. This article reviews the rationale underlying the current management of ARDS. In part 2 of this article some of the more recent and novel therapies that are being applied in the treatment of this condition will be described.
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In some cases of acute cardiorespiratory failure rational therapy is only possible with detailed information about the circulation, including pulmonary vascular pressures and cardiac output. This information can be obtained from a pulmonary arterial flotation catheter but the associated complications are potentially lethal. This article gives a concise guide to the insertion of pulmonary arterial flotation catheters with the emphasis on points of safety that should minimize the risk to the patient.