Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Still a Challenge to the Treating Physician

Introduction: ARDS or adult respiratory distress syndrome is serious illness of high mortality and morbidity. A high index of suspicion and lookout for early signs, helps in early diagnosis, treatment and a fairly good outcome. Aims and objectives: This cross-sectional observational study had the following aim-To study the clinical profile of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, its radiology, and echocardiography, to identify etiology and co-morbid conditions Methodology: 30 consecutive patients admitted to ICU of a Medical College Hospital in Semi-urban Maharashtra were selected after meeting inclusion criteria on the lines of Berlin Criteria of ARDS. Data collected, tabulated and analysed. Conclusions: Our Study concluded that outcomes were not related to age, gender or the existence of co-morbidities. Rather Etiology, the time of coming to hospital, early detection and treatment of ARDS, affected outcomes. Both H1N1, with severe ARDS and Klebsiella +ve culture had worse prognosis. Key words: ARDS, H1N1, Acute pancreatitis, Klebsiella