Int J Med Sci 2004; 1(1):1-10. doi:10.7150/ijms.1.1 This issue Cite

Management of Critically Ill Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Arthur Chun-Wing LAU , Loretta Yin-Chun YAM , Loletta Kit-Ying SO

Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, PR China

Citation:
LAU ACW, YAM LYC, SO LKY. Management of Critically Ill Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Int J Med Sci 2004; 1(1):1-10. doi:10.7150/ijms.1.1. https://www.medsci.org/v01p0001.htm
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Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is frequently complicated with acute respiratory failure. In this article, we aim to focus on the management of the subgroup of SARS patients who are critically ill. Most SARS patients would require high flow oxygen supplementation, 20–30% required intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency care, and 13–26% developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In some of these patients, the clinical course can progress relentlessly to septic shock and/or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The management of critically ill SARS patients requires timely institution of pharmacotherapy where applicable and supportive treatment (oxygen therapy, noninvasive and invasive ventilation). Superimposed bacterial and other opportunistic infections are common, especially in those treated with mechanical ventilation. Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum may arise spontaneously or as a result of positive ventilatory assistance. Older age is a consistently a poor prognostic factor. Appropriate use of personal protection equipment and adherence to infection control measures is mandatory for effective infection control. Much of the knowledge about the clinical aspects of SARS is based on retrospective observational data and randomized-controlled trials are required for confirmation. Physicians and scientists all over the world should collaborate to study this condition which may potentially threaten human existence.

Keywords: SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome, critically ill patients, management, treatment and control.


Citation styles

APA
LAU , A.C.W., YAM , L.Y.C., SO , L.K.Y. (2004). Management of Critically Ill Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). International Journal of Medical Sciences, 1(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.1.1.

ACS
LAU , A.C.W.; YAM , L.Y.C.; SO , L.K.Y. Management of Critically Ill Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Int. J. Med. Sci. 2004, 1 (1), 1-10. DOI: 10.7150/ijms.1.1.

NLM
LAU ACW, YAM LYC, SO LKY. Management of Critically Ill Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Int J Med Sci 2004; 1(1):1-10. doi:10.7150/ijms.1.1. https://www.medsci.org/v01p0001.htm

CSE
LAU ACW, YAM LYC, SO LKY. 2004. Management of Critically Ill Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Int J Med Sci. 1(1):1-10.

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