ICU management of severe acute respiratory syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious viral illness first recognized in late 2002. It has now been documented in 26 countries worldwide, with significant outbreaks in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Toronto. Research into identifying the etiological agent, evaluating modes of disease transmission, and treatment options is currently ongoing.


CONCLUSIONS
The disease can produce a severe bilateral pneumonia, with progressive hypoxemia. Up to 20% of patients require mechanical ventilatory support, with a fatal outcome occurring in about 5% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
We review the current knowledge about this disease, with particular emphasis on ICU management and infection control precautions to prevent disease transmission.
Mount Sinai Hospital, Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, 600 University Ave, Toronto, M5G 1X5, Canada. Stephen.lapinsky@utoronto.ca.
Stephen E
SE
Lapinsky
University Health Network, Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, 500 University Ave, Toronto, M5G 1X7, Canada.
Laura
L
Hawryluck
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D013256:Steroids; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D013256:Steroids