Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Emergency complications develops in ~20% of severe/critical COVID patients. It results from excessive pathological immune response to viral pathogen. The cytokine storm that follows is a form of virus induced haemophagic lymphohistiocytosis. ARDS causes severe oxygen diffusion impairment. The severity of ventilatory impairment can be quantified by PF Ratio; See link for PF Ratio calculation:
  • Mild – PF ratio 200-300mmHg
  • Moderate – PF ratio 100-200mmHg
  • Severe – PF ratio <100mmHg
Many online calculators are available online, this is one such example: