ARDS: Diagnosis dan Penatalaksanaan Klinis

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition characterized by rapid onset of severe respiratory failure, often resulting from underlying illnesses like pneumonia, sepsis, or trauma. Clinical diagnosis of ARDS is based on criteria including acute onset of respiratory distress, bilateral lung infiltrates on chest imaging, and impaired oxygenation not fully explained by cardiac failure. Early recognition and management are essential in ARDS to prevent further lung damage and improve patient outcomes. Oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation are typically necessary to provide adequate oxygen levels while minimizing the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury. Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) is commonly used to maintain lung recruitment and improve oxygenation. Management strategies focus on treating the underlying cause, such as antibiotics for infections or addressing fluid balance issues. Prone positioning, a technique where the patient lies face down, can improve oxygenation in some cases. Low tidal volume ventilation, which involves using smaller breath volumes, is a recommended ventilatory strategy to prevent further lung injury.