Prognosis after recovery from adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Ten patients who survived an acute episode of the adult respiratory distress syndrome were studied on recovery. Serial pulmonary function tests performed in 3 subjects revealed a tendency toward normalization of values at 4 to 6 months after the episode, with a subsequent serial decrease in maximal mid-expiratory flow rates, and a partial reversal by bronchodilators. Of the 10 patients, 6 had dyspnea on exertion and all but one of the 6 were smokers. The ventilatory tests revealed a predominantly restrictive pattern in 2 patients and an obstructive pattern in 4. The 4 asymptomatic patients had essentially normal pulmonary function. Pathologic features of the lung, available in 3 cases, are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D012119:Respiration; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012907:Smoking; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen