[Cardiorespiratory monitoring in the diagnosis and therapy of patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome].

In thirty-six patients, meeting clinical criteria for the diagnosis of ARDS, findings of pulmonary functions and results of invasive hemodynamic monitoring have been separately evaluated and compared with normal values. The majority of patients presented with tachypnea having breathing frequency greater than 30/min, vital capacity less than 20 ml/kg body weight, effective pulmonary compliance less than 25 ml/cm H2O, VD/VT greater than 0.6 and D-L shunt greater than 20%. Pulmonary capillary pressure was normal in most patients and pulmonary artery mean pressure and pulmonary vasculary resistance increased. The authors believe that diagnosis of ARDS can be established with greater reliability by use of more complex pulmonary function testing and hemodynamic investigations. An invasive hemodynamic monitoring using a Swan-Ganz catheter gives irreplaceable data for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in patients with ARDS. It enables an accurate hydration of patients, correct use of diuretics and vasoactive drugs and it is especially useful in controlled application of ventilators and PEEP.