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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) |
| Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention |
| Alternative Names: |
| Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema; Increased-permeability pulmonary edema; Stiff lung; Shock lung; Adult respiratory distress syndrome; Acute respiratory distress syndrome |
| Symptoms: |
Often, persons affected by ARDS are so sick they are unable to complain of symptoms. |
| Signs and tests: |
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Chest auscultation (examination with a stethoscope) reveals abnormal breath sounds, such as crackles that suggest fluid in the lungs. Often the blood pressure is low. Cyanosis (blue skin, lips, and nails caused by lack of oxygen to the tissues) is frequently seen. Tests used in the diagnosis of ARDS include:
Occasionally an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or Swan-Ganz catheterization may need to be done to exclude congestive heart failure, which can have a similar chest X-ray appearance to ARDS. |
Lungs |
Respiratory system |
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