PaO₂:FiO₂ Ratio

About

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is classically described as noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, thought to be secondary to increased pulmonary capillary permeability. This process may occur for a number of reasons, both pulmonary and systemic in origin. Common causes of ARDS include pulmonary or systemic infection, trauma, burns, pancreatitis, near-drowning, transfusion, medication overdose, and toxic inhalations.

Treatment of ARDS is evolving, with several recent large-scale studies that have altered standard practice:

  • Low tidal volume ventilation (6mL/kg) improves absolute mortality 9% (ARDSNet, 2000)
  • Restrictive fluid management strategies (initiated after hemodynamic stabilization) increases ventilation-free and ICU-free days, but has no effect on 60-day mortality (ARDSNet, 2006)
  • High versus low levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has no effect on clinically relevant outcomes (Brower et al, 2004)
  • No benefit, but increased complication rates when pulmonary arterial catheters are used to guide treatment (ARDSNet, 2006)
  • Steroid therapy increases morbidity and possibly increases mortality, especially if initiated late (> 14 days) in ARDS course (Steinberg et al, 2006)

References

Herbert P Wiedemann et al.

New England Journal of Medicine 2006 June 15, 354 (24): 2564-75

Brower RG, et al.

New England Journal of Medicine 2004 July 22, 351 (4): 327-36

Arthur P Wheeler et al.

New England Journal of Medicine 2006 May 25, 354 (21): 2213-24

Steinberg KP et al.

New England Journal of Medicine 2006 April 20, 354 (16): 1671-84

The PaO₂:FiO₂ Ratio calculator is created by QxMD.

By using this site you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to be bound by our terms of use and privacy policy. All content and tools are for educational use only, are not meant to be a substitute for professional advice and should not be used for medical diagnosis and/or medical treatment.

1. PaO₂?

0/2 completed