Articles: respiratory-distress-syndrome.
-
Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. · May 1981
Pulmonary function and exercise gas exchange in survivors of adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Pulmonary function studies were performed on 13 survivors of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Six of these 13 patients had a forced vital capacity (FVC) and total lung capacity (TLC) less than 80% of predicted within 2 months of the onset of ARDS. Seven patients followed 6 months or more showed no significant difference between measured and predicted FVC (p = 0.26) or TLC (p = 0.12). ⋯ The ratio of dead space to tidal volume decreased to less than 0.25 when VCO2 exceeded 1.0 L/min. We concluded that lung mechanics return to predicted normal values within 4 to 6 months after ARDS, but abnormalities of pulmonary gas exchange persist. Pulmonary vascular obstruction does not appear to explain persistent abnormalities of gas exchange.
-
In 16 patients with severe head injury and 2 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation was required to maintain adequate oxygenation. The effects of PEEP on intracranial pressure (ICP) were evaluated with respect to the volume-pressure response (VPR), an indicator of intracranial compliance, and the static lung compliance (CL). ⋯ In addition, however, decreased lung compliance may buffer these effects in patients who have decreased intracranial compliance. We propose that ICP monitoring and intracranial compliance determination are necessary in the management of brain-injured patients requiring PEEP ventilation.