Articles: respiratory-distress-syndrome.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Early methylprednisolone treatment for septic syndrome and the adult respiratory distress syndrome.
From November 1, 1982 through December 31, 1985, there were 19 centers and 382 patients that evaluated the effect of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) on the septic syndrome. Seventeen of these centers enrolled 304 patients in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine if early treatment with MPSS would decrease the incidence of severity of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients at risk of ARDS from sepsis. To ensure early institution of the MPSS or placebo therapy (PLA), patients with the presumptive diagnosis of sepsis were identified. ⋯ The 14-day mortality in patients with ARDS treated with MPSS was 26/50 (52 percent) compared to placebo 8/22 (22 percent) p = 0.004. We conclude that early treatment of septic syndrome with MPSS does not prevent the development of ARDS. Additionally, MPSS treatment impedes the reversal of ARDS and increases the mortality rate in patients with ARDS.
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The "lung in shock" syndrome is a constellation of early morphologic changes in the lung within 1 hour after polytrauma as indicated by human lung biopsies. A hypovolemic-traumatic (soft-tissue trauma together with bone fractures) baboon model with reinfusion was established to study these morphologic and associated pathophysiologic events. This model was developed in order to test the efficacy of therapeutic modalities in future studies. ⋯ The fluid accumulation occurred in spite of careful control of pulmonary artery pressures during the study. More striking histologic findings were significant cellular infiltration of lung tissue, especially by leukocytes, showing evidence of degranulation. This baboon study, similar to studies undertaken in canines, shows that the hypovolemic (hemorrhagic) shock in association with trauma (fracture, soft-tissue trauma) causes ultrastructural morphologic changes that may precede potentially life-threatening functional changes in the lung.
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Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. · Nov 1987
Pulmonary vascular tone improves pulmonary gas exchange in the adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Hemodynamics, blood gases, lung mechanics, and the distributions of ventilation-perfusion ratios (VA/Q) were studied before and after iv diltiazem, 0.5 mg/kg over 30 min, in 6 patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) ventilated with 7 to 20 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Diltiazem decreased systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures without changes in cardiac output and in filling pressures of the heart, and with a slowing of heart rate. Pulmonary vascular resistances decreased from 401 +/- 59 to 329 +/- 58 dyne.s.cm-5.m2 (mean +/- SEM), p less than 0.01. ⋯ Lung compliance and airway resistances did not change. Diltiazem increased true shunt from 23 +/- 5 to 30 +/- 7% of total blood flow (p less than 0.02) without other modification in the pattern of VA/Q distribution as measured by the multiple inert gas elimination technique. These results suggest that pulmonary vascular tone contributes to the maintenance of VA/Q matching in patients with ARDS.
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Case Reports
[Treatment of re-expansion edema ('unilateral ARDS") after rapid pneumothorax drainage].
A rare complication after delayed re-expansion of pneumothorax is reported. A polytraumatized patient with stable vital functions was admitted to our ICU immediately after surgery. Later, oxygenation worsened treated by a rise in FiO2. ⋯ In the next few days the intensity of the respiratory treatment could be reduced, and after a short period of CPAP the patient was discharged from the ICU. Three mechanisms for development of this "unilateral ARDS" are discussed: loss and suppressed regeneration of surfactant in prolonged atelectic alveolar compartments; increased capillary fluid escape due to suction; and increased complement activation and reduced degradation of edematogenic bradykinin in hypoxic alveolar compartments. Possible clinical implications for the treatment of longer duration pneumothorax are: fractionated drainage and respirator settings, reopening collapsed alveoli in an inhomogeneously diseased lung such as IRV.