Condition Lookup
Category:
Respiratory Failure and Critical Care
Number of Conditions: 4
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Respiratory Failure and Critical Care
Symptoms:
severe shortness of breath; rapid breathing; low blood oxygen levels; fatigue; confusion; cyanosis (bluish skin)
Root Cause:
ARDS is caused by widespread inflammation in the lungs, leading to fluid buildup in the alveoli, preventing normal gas exchange.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation, arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, chest X-ray (showing bilateral pulmonary infiltrates), and exclusion of other causes of hypoxemia.
Treatment:
Supportive care with mechanical ventilation, use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), fluid management, and addressing the underlying cause (e.g., infection, trauma).
Medications:
Medications used in ARDS may include sedatives (e.g., propofol , lorazepam ), analgesics (e.g., morphine , fentanyl ), corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone for inflammation), and antibiotics if infection is the cause. These are classified as sedatives, analgesics, corticosteroids, and antibiotics.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
ARDS affects approximately 10-15% of critically ill patients in intensive care units.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Sepsis, pneumonia, trauma, aspiration, near-drowning, inhalation injuries, and multiple blood transfusions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis can vary, with mortality rates ranging from 30-40%. Survivors may have long-term lung function impairment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Barotrauma, ventilator-associated pneumonia, pneumothorax, and long-term respiratory complications.
Mechanical Ventilation Management
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Respiratory Failure and Critical Care
Symptoms:
not applicable (since it is a management approach rather than a condition).
Root Cause:
Mechanical ventilation is used to assist or replace spontaneous breathing in patients with respiratory failure.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Not a diagnostic condition; it’s used as treatment for patients with respiratory failure, hypoxemia, or hypercapnia.
Treatment:
Mechanical ventilation is provided through intubation or non-invasive ventilation devices. Settings are adjusted based on the patient’s respiratory needs, including tidal volume, PEEP, and respiratory rate.
Medications:
Sedatives (e.g., propofol ), paralytics (e.g., vecuronium ), and analgesics (e.g., morphine ) are used to manage pain, discomfort, and ensure patient compliance with mechanical ventilation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in intensive care units for patients with acute respiratory failure.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Acute respiratory failure, respiratory muscle fatigue, and inability to maintain adequate oxygenation or ventilation.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the underlying cause of respiratory failure and the patient's response to mechanical ventilation.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia, barotrauma, tracheal injury, and long-term lung damage.
Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Respiratory Failure and Critical Care
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; confusion; headache; drowsiness; flushed skin; rapid breathing
Root Cause:
Hypercapnic respiratory failure occurs when the lungs are unable to remove enough carbon dioxide from the blood, often due to obstructive lung diseases such as COPD or severe asthma.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is confirmed through ABG analysis showing elevated levels of carbon dioxide (PaCO2 > 45 mmHg), along with clinical symptoms of hypoventilation.
Treatment:
Management includes non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) or invasive mechanical ventilation, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and addressing the underlying cause (e.g., COPD exacerbation).
Medications:
Bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol , ipratropium ) to open the airways, corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone ), and respiratory stimulants (e.g., theophylline ) are commonly used. These medications are classified as bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and respiratory stimulants.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and severe asthma.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity, neuromuscular disorders, severe asthma, and drug overdose.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the underlying condition; with appropriate treatment, many patients can recover, although severe cases may have poor outcomes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory acidosis, pulmonary hypertension, organ failure, and long-term respiratory impairment.
Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Respiratory Failure and Critical Care
Symptoms:
severe shortness of breath; cyanosis; confusion; tachypnea; increased heart rate; restlessness
Root Cause:
Hypoxemic respiratory failure is characterized by low oxygen levels in the blood despite adequate ventilation, often due to diseases affecting gas exchange like pneumonia, pulmonary edema, or pulmonary embolism.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is made through ABG analysis showing low oxygen levels (PaO2 < 60 mmHg) and normal or low carbon dioxide levels, along with clinical signs of hypoxia.
Treatment:
Treatment involves supplemental oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation if necessary, and addressing the underlying cause (e.g., antibiotics for infection, diuretics for pulmonary edema).
Medications:
Medications can include antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone , azithromycin for pneumonia), diuretics (e.g., furosemide for pulmonary edema), and corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone ). These medications are classified as antibiotics, diuretics, and corticosteroids.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in patients with pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Pulmonary infections, trauma, aspiration, acute lung injury, and heart failure.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the underlying cause; with prompt treatment, many patients recover, but severe cases can result in death or long-term complications.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Organ failure, cardiac arrhythmias, brain damage due to prolonged hypoxia, and pulmonary fibrosis in severe cases.