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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

(ARDS; Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Non-cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema)

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Home | Health Information Center | Disease, Condition, & Injury Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a form of severe lung damage. It happens in people who are very ill or hurt. It can be deadly.

ARDS

Causes

ARDS is caused by small blood vessels that leak fluid into the small air sacs of the lungs. The fluid in the sacs blocks oxygen from passing into the body.

Direct injuries that may lead to ARDS are:

Pneumonia
Sepsis of the lungs
Breathing regurgitated stomach matter
A bruise of the lung
Near-drowning
Breathing smoke or certain chemicals
Respiratory syncytial virus

Indirect injuries that may lead to ARDS are:

Sepsis
Severe injury, such as a heavy blow to the chest
Burn
Swelling of the pancreas
Drug overdose
A large blood transfusion

Risk Factors

The health problems above raise the risk of ARDS.

Other things that may raise the risk are:

Smoking
Lung disease
Alcohol use disorder

Symptoms

Signs often start within 24 to 48 hours. They will also worsen with time. It may happen slowly or quickly.

A person may have:

Problems breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Signs of infection, such as fever or chills
Bluish skin or fingernail color
Coughing
Chest pain
Confusion

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Tests will be done if you are not able to communicate.

Blood tests will be done to look for low oxygen levels, infection, and signs of heart failure.

Pictures will be taken of the chest. This can be done with:

Treatment

The underlying cause will be treated.

The goal of treatment is to help promote breathing. Choices are:

Mechanical ventilation—a machine will move air in and out of the lungs
Non-invasive mask mechanical ventilation—a mask will deliver air from a ventilator to the lungs
Oxygen therapy—a mask or tube will deliver oxygen through the nose
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECM)—advanced breathing and heart support (not as common)

Prevention

There are no known guidelines to prevent this problem.

RESOURCES:

American Lung Association
http://www.lung.org

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

The Lung Association
http://www.lung.ca

References:

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-respiratory-distress-syndrome-ards. Accessed October 29, 2020.

Explore ARDS. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed October 29, 2020.

Sweeney RM, McAuley DF. Acute respiratory distress syndrome. Lancet. 2016 Nov 12;388(10058):2416-2430.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 4/30/2021

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