Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Pregnancy and Peripartum: Facts and Figures

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious condition occurring rarely during pregnancy and peripartum period. ARDS occurs either due to pregnancy associated risk factors or due to the increased risk during pregnancy. Clinical presentation, arterial blood gas, chest X-ray, and computerized tomography will help in the diagnosis of ARDS. Management of ARDS in pregnancy and peripartum period can be summarized by the “ARDS12,” including lung protective ventilation (lower tidal volume, higher respiratory rate, positive end expiratory pressure titration), negative fluid balance, neuromuscular blocking agents, prone position, use of inhaled nitric oxide, high frequency oscillation ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal, use of corticosteroids and continuing the supportive care. Overall morality from ARDS is showing decreasing trends, and the mortality during pregnancy and peripartum period is significantly lower than in general population.