Hemodynamic monitoring in the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Because of the derangements in pulmonary function in the patient with adult respiratory distress syndrome and alterations in cardiac pulmonary function during therapy, hemodynamic monitoring can provide important diagnostic and therapeutic information. Early differentiation between cardiogenic and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema can be facilitated. The response to therapy can be monitored so that cardiopulmonary function can be optimized. Although some interrelationships in this response to therapy have not been fully elucidated, more intelligent therapeutic approaches can be individualized for each patient.