acute respiratory distress syndrome of adults
Quick Summary
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), also known as adult respiratory distress syndrome, is a sudden onset respiratory failure in adults. It follows lung injury from causes like sepsis, chest trauma, or pneumonia. The pathology involves protein-rich fluid accumulation and alveolar collapse, leading to rapid, difficult breathing and dangerously low blood oxygen levels. ARDS is a serious condition that impairs the lungs' ability to exchange gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the air and the blood. This breakdown in normal gas exchange is a critical aspect of the syndrome's pathology.12
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