Adult respiratory distress syndrome: has there been a change in outcome predictive measures?
BACKGROUND
Studies suggest that the mortality in adults with acute respiratory distress (ARDS) has not changed over the past two decades, despite the introduction of new therapeutic techniques and sophisticated ventilatory support devices. Mortality and physiological variables that might predict outcome in patients with ARDS were therefore assessed.


METHODS
A retrospective survey was undertaken in 41 patients with ARDS.


RESULTS
Mortality was 66%. Only the presence of sepsis predicted death.


CONCLUSIONS
Mortality from ARDS is unchanged. Currently available severity scoring systems are not helpful in predicting outcome.
Lee
J
J
Department of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospital, London.
Turner
J S
JS
Morgan
C J
CJ
Keogh
B F
BF
Evans
T W
TW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index