title: Prognosis after recovery from adult respiratory distress syndrome.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen