Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Common, with Persistently Poor Outcomes

A study in 50 countries revealed poorly standardized care and high mortality.

Although research into interventions for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has risen, epidemiology and outcomes of patients with ARDS remain unclear. In this prospective cohort study, investigators enrolled 459 intensive care units (ICUs) from 50 countries, with the greatest representation from Europe; admissions and subsequent care were examined during 4 consecutive winter weeks in 2014.

Of nearly 30,000 ICU admissions, 10.4% were due to ARDS according to the Berlin ARDS definition (NEJM JW Hosp Med Sep 2012 and JAMA 2012; 307:2526). With that definition serving as the standard for ARDS, on-site clinicians underrecognized ARDS: They documented its presence in only 60% of cases overall and in 79% of severe cases. Among patients with…

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Common, with Persistently Poor Outcomes

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Reviewing Author