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Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Published on: April 7, 2021
Acute respiratory distress syndrome--a case study.
Patrick Laird1, Susan D Ruppert
1School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6901 Bertner, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
|March 17, 2011
Summary
This case study highlights a complex acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) case managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. ECMO provided life-saving salvage therapy, enabling patient recovery and return to employment.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) presents significant management challenges.
- Conventional treatments and optimal respiratory support can be insufficient in severe ARDS cases.
- Salvage therapy is crucial when standard interventions fail.
Observation:
- A patient with a complicated 52-day ARDS hospitalization experienced clinical deterioration.
- Despite maximal medical and respiratory support, death appeared imminent.
- Cardiovascular surgery consultation and spousal consent preceded salvage therapy.
Findings:
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was initiated as a salvage therapy for 6 days.
- The patient demonstrated significant recovery following ECMO initiation.
- Successful patient recovery allowed for return to regular employment.
Implications:
- ECMO can be a life-saving intervention for refractory ARDS.
- Multidisciplinary collaboration, including acute care nurses and intensivists, is vital for complex case management.
- This case underscores the importance of considering advanced life support in prolonged, severe ARDS.
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