Articles: respiratory-distress-syndrome.
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A major nonrespiratory function of the mammalian lung is that of a polymorphonuclear leukocyte reservoir. Within this reservoir, granulocytes are distributed between marginating and circulating pools. Under normal conditions these cells release little, if any, toxic metabolites. ⋯ Nevertheless, adult respiratory distress syndrome does arise under conditions facilitating chemotactic factor release from macrophages (e.g. hyperoxia), in situations where widespread activation of complement occurs (e.g. sepsis, trauma, microemboli), and in shock conditions where pulmonary blood flow is often lowered. Correlations exist between adult respiratory distress syndrome and activation of complement, acute neutropenia, sequestration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and enhanced functional and metabolic activity of granulocytes. Although these findings suggest that polymorphonuclear leukocytes are an important factor in the pathogenesis of adult respiratory distress syndrome, its precise role remains to be determined.
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Pediatric radiology · Jan 1985
Case ReportsInfra-azygous pneumomediastinum versus pulmonary ligament air collection: CT evaluation.
A full-term infant developed a large collection of air posteriorly in the thorax. Computed tomography showed the anatomical distribution of this extraventilatory air and although, it did not conclusively differentiate between infra-azygous pneumomediastinum and a pulmonary ligament air collection, inappropriate needle aspiration of the air was avoided.
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The Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a complication of many illnesses such as sepsis, pneumonia and trauma afflicting over 150,000 patients per year. While progress in intensive care medicine has increased the survival rates in many of these underlying illnesses, major obstacles remain in the successful therapy of ARDS. Animal and human investigations shed light on the pathophysiology of the illness that is allowing researchers to formulate promising new treatment strategies.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1985
Comparative StudyThe acute effects of prostaglandin E1 on the pulmonary circulation and oxygen delivery in patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Prostaglandin E1 was administered intravenously to 10 patients who had the adult respiratory distress syndrome associated with severe infection in order to investigate its hemodynamic effects. Infusion of PGE1 significantly decreased the mean pulmonary arterial pressure, mean systemic arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance and systemic vascular resistance, and increased the cardiac index, oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption. No significant difference was noted in the intrapulmonary shunt fraction. These results indicate that administration of PGE1 improves pulmonary hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, by reducing right ventricular afterload and increasing the cardiac index.