The information on this website is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician for health concerns.

+90 850 321 50 00

ARDS Management Principles

Evidence-based bundle for acute respiratory distress syndrome

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Göğüs Hastalıkları department. Book Appointment →

What is ARDS Management Principles?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening form of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and a PaO2/FiO2 ratio under 300, divided into mild, moderate, and severe categories per Berlin criteria.

The cornerstone of management is lung-protective ventilation: tidal volume 6 mL/kg predicted body weight, plateau pressure under 30 cmH2O, and PEEP titrated to oxygenation and lung mechanics.

Adjunctive interventions include prone positioning at least 16 hours daily for severe ARDS, neuromuscular blockade for the first 48 hours in severe cases, and venovenous ECMO referral when conventional support fails.

Symptoms

Acute severe dyspnea
Refractory hypoxemia
Bilateral lung infiltrates
Decreased lung compliance
Multi-organ dysfunction

Risk Factors

Sepsis (most common cause)
Aspiration pneumonia
Severe trauma
Pancreatitis
Multiple transfusions

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Acute respiratory failure
  • Refractory hypoxemia
  • Need for high oxygen support
  • Hemodynamic deterioration
  • Failure of standard ventilation

Treatment Methods

01
Tidal volume 6 mL/kg PBW
02
Plateau pressure under 30 cmH2O
03
PEEP titration and recruitment
04
Prone positioning for severe ARDS
05
Neuromuscular blockade in severe cases
06
Venovenous ECMO for refractory disease

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Göğüs Hastalıkları department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Göğüs Hastalıkları Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

Book AppointmentContact Us

Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

Asthma

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Asthma is characterized by wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath attacks; with proper treatment it can be kept under control.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Göğüs Hastalıkları

COPD is an irreversible lung disease characterized by shortness of breath and chronic cough; quitting smoking slows its progression.

Pneumonia

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Pneumonia presents with high fever, cough and shortness of breath; the vast majority recover with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Tuberculosis presents with weeks-to-months of cough, fever, and night sweats; early diagnosis and treatment lead to full recovery.

Pleural Effusion

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Pleural effusion is the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space, resulting from imbalances in fluid production and removal, and represents a manifestation of diverse cardiopulmonary, infectious, and malignant disorders.

Pneumothorax

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space resulting in partial or complete lung collapse, classified as spontaneous (primary/secondary), traumatic, or iatrogenic, with tension pneumothorax representing a life-threatening emergency.

Bronchitis (Acute and Chronic)

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Acute bronchitis is mostly viral and resolves spontaneously, while chronic bronchitis is a smoking-related component of COPD.

Bronchiectasis

Göğüs Hastalıkları

Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by permanent, abnormal dilation of bronchi with associated destruction of muscular and elastic components of airway walls, resulting in impaired mucociliary clearance and recurrent infection.

Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.