Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

DIAGNOSIS

"ARDS"

A : Atrial (left) Pressure Normal i.e.Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure
R : Ratio of PO2 / FiO2 <>
D : Diffuse Bilateral Pulmonary Infiltrates (Xray)
S : Symptoms of Respiratory Failure

COMMON PRECIPITATORS OF ARDS

"ARDS"

A : Aspiration, Accidents (Trauma)
R : Radiation Exposure
D : Drowning (Near-Drowning), DIC, Drugs
S : Sepsis (Most Common), Shock

MANAGEMENT

"STOP"

S : Sepsis control, Steroids (not mainstay yet)
T : Tidal Volume Control (as Low as possible)
O : Oxygen Flow (PO2 > 60 mmHg)
P : Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (Mechanical Ventilation)




Search keywords to this post:

- "How to remember the diagnosis and treatment for ARDS"
- "ARDS Mnemonic"

Blue Bloaters + Pink Puffers

How can you easily remember and not confuse which COPD types are associated with these terms ?

Check this out :

Chronic Bronchitis = Cyanotic Blue Bloaters

EmPhysema = Pink Puffers

This makes remembering these associations with Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema a snap ! And any mistakes despite this would deserve a .......slap ? ;-)

COPD TREATMENT

Treatment Goals are different in Chronic and Acute COPD. Here's a useful way to remember therapies in both cases.


Management Mnemonic in Chronic COPD = "COPD"

C - Cigarette Smoking Cessation
O - Oxygen Therapy if Hypoxic
P - PFTs + Pulmonary Rehab + Pneumococcal Vaccine (+ Flu Vaccine if not taken for that year)
D - Dilators (bronchodilators - B2 Agonists and/or Anticholinergics)

Treatment Mnemonic for Acute COPD = "A COPD"

A - Antibiotics if fever and Chest-Xray Suggestive
C - Corticosteroids to reduce hospital stay
O - O2 for hypoxia
P - Phlegm Control (Mucolytics...)
D - Dilators (like above)

g/l