[A clinical analysis of 18 cases with adult respiratory distress syndrome]

18 cases with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) admitted to our hospital since 1985 were reported. Among them, 2 cases were mild, 10 moderate and 6 severe. All of them received a combination of treatment, including correction of primary disease, O2 therapy, medications such as corticosteroid diuretics and anti-inflammatory agents, restriction of water intake and keep of negative fluid balance. Mechanical ventilation, especially early application of PEEP, was applied in 12 cases. In general, the level of pressure was kept between 0.08-0.1 KPa. End inspiration pause (EIP) was also routinely taken. Usually, the pausing period accounted for 10% of the respiratory cycle. 2 died among the 12 cases with mechanical ventilation, whereas all of the 6 cases receiving simple artificial ventilation died. The mortality rate was 44%.