Causes of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
There are a number of underlying conditions that can lead to ARDS. However, in most cases, people with these conditions do not develop ARDS. It is not clear why some people are at a higher risk than others.
Causes of acute respiratory distress syndrome include the following:
- Serious infection in the blood or other tissues (called sepsis; accounts for more than 30% of cases)
- Severe chest trauma
- Severe lung infection (e.g., bacterial or viral pneumonia)
- Inhalation of vomited stomach contents
- Inhalation of smoke or other toxic fumes
- Fat embolis (globule of fat that blocks an artery)
- Near drowning
- Massive blood transfusion
- Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery
- Ingestion of certain drugs
- Acute pancreatitis
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 05 Dec 2000
Reviewed by: Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 04 Dec 2007
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