急性下壁心肌梗死行急诊PCI术无复流现象预测

目的:探讨急性下壁心肌梗死患者急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)中出现无复流的相关危险因素。方法:回顾性分析我院2014-02-2016-01行急诊PCI的急性下壁心肌梗死患者的临床基本资料及造影和介入治疗的资料,进行统计分析。结果:急性下壁心肌梗死行急诊PCI术,术中无复流发生率约12.5%。多元回归分析显示:梗死相关动脉为分叉病变(OR=1.62,95%CI 1.420~1.862,P=0.002)、再灌注时间(6h)(OR=1.558,95%CI1.359~1.793,P=0.001)、入院时收缩压水平(90mmHg)(OR=1.267,95%CI 1.140~1.381,P=0.004)、术前TIMI血流1级(OR=1.080,95%CI 1.052~1.142,P0.001)、血栓负荷程度(OR=1.580,95%CI1.468~2.646,P=0.028)和病变血管长度(OR=1.936,95%CI1.886~1.992,P=0.017)是预测术中是否出现无复流现象的独立因素。结论:急性下壁心肌梗死行急诊PCI术,术中无复流发生率约12.5%。梗死相关动脉是否为分叉病变、再灌注时间(6h)、入院时收缩压水平(90mmHg)、术前TIMI血流1级、血栓负荷程度和病变血管长度等因素可预测术中是否出现无复流现象。     

二氧化碳结合力变化对急性百草枯中毒预后判断的价值分析

目的:探讨静脉血二氧化碳结合力(CO2-CP)与急性百草枯中毒预后的关系。方法 :回顾性分析2011年1月至2013年12月我院收治的220例急性百草枯中毒患者的临床资料,记录中毒剂量、中毒距就诊时间、中毒距洗胃时间、中毒后24 h内白细胞计数(WBC)、中毒后并发症、血肌酐(SCr)、尿素氮(BUN)、静脉血CO2-CP、有无氧饱和度(Sa O2)<0.90的时间及急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ评分)等指标。结果:CO2-CP的受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)下面积(AUC)为0.746(95%CI:0.673~0.819,P<0.05),以CO2-CP≥15.5 mmol/L为判断预后的临界值,其判断存活的敏感度和特异度分别为91.7%和70.0%;多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示CO2-CP可作为判断百草枯中毒预后的独立危险因素(OR=4.583,95%CI:2.226~9.437,P<0.05)。结论:检测静脉血CO2-CP简单可行,可作为判断急性百草枯中毒预后的敏感指标,中毒早期出现CO2-CP下降提示预后差。     

血清缺氧诱导因子1α和心型脂肪酸结合蛋白水平与急性心肌梗死患者发生心力衰竭的相关性

目的探讨急性心肌梗死患者血清缺氧诱导因子1α(hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, HIF-1α)、心型脂肪酸结合蛋白(heart-type fatty acid binding protein, H-FABP)的表达情况及其与急性心肌梗死患者发生心力衰竭的关系。方法 113例急性心肌梗死患者,依据血运重建后是否发生心力衰竭分为心力衰竭组29例和无心力衰竭组84例;记录患者一般资料,采用ELISA法检测患者血清HIF-1α、H-FABP水平,并进行2组间比较。采用双变量Pearson直线相关性分析急性心肌梗死患者血清HIF-1α与H-FABP的相关性;采用多因素logistic回归分析急性心肌梗死患者发生心力衰竭的影响因素;绘制ROC曲线,评估血清HIF-1α、H-FABP水平预测急性心肌梗死患者发生心力衰竭的效能。结果心力衰竭组患者血清HIF-1α[(55.30±4.85)ng/L]、H-FABP[(78.26±10.17)pg/L]及C反应蛋白[(14.13±4.02)ng/L]、脑钠肽前体[(393.52±29.65)ng/L]水平高于无心力衰竭组[(48.39±4.36)ng/L、(52.22±13.96)pg/L、(8.14±2.16)ng/L、(351.12±21.03)ng/L](P<0.05);急性心肌梗死患者血清HIF-1α水平与H-FABP水平呈正相关(r=0.657,P<0.001)。血清C反应蛋白(OR=1.045,95%CI:1.012~1.596,P=0.023)、脑钠肽前体(OR=1.695,95%CI:1.342~1.967,P=0.013)、HIF-1α(OR=1.421,95%CI:1.203~1.869,P=0.039)、H-FABP(OR=1.213,95%CI:1.019~1.534,P=0.010)是急性心肌梗死患者发生心力衰竭的影响因素;当血清HIF-1α、H-FABP最佳截断值分为57.123 ng/L、81.031 pg/L时,预测急性心肌梗死患者发生心力衰竭的AUC分别为0.848(95%CI:0.756~0.939,P<0.001)、0.906(95%CI:0.847~0.964,P<0.001),血清HIF-1与H-FABP联合预测的效能(AUC=0.907,95%CI:0.845~0.970,P<0.001)高于HIF-1α、H-FABP单独预测,其灵敏度为95.2%,特异度为93.1%。结论血清HIF-1α、H-FABP过表达是急性心肌梗死患者发生心力衰竭的影响因素,对预测急性心肌梗死患者发生心力衰竭风险有一定价值。     

急性高血糖与急性心肌梗死急诊PCI术后对比剂肾病的相关性

目的通过比较急性高血糖、非急性高血糖急性心肌梗死(AMI)急诊经皮冠脉介入(PCI)术后对比剂肾病(CIN)发生率,探讨急性高血糖与AMI急诊PCI术后CIN的相关性。方法回顾性分析200例在该院行急诊PCI术治疗AMI患者的相关临床资料,将其分为比较急性高血糖组和非急性高血糖组,比较两组患者急诊PCI术后CIN发生率。结果急性高血糖组CIN发生率明显高于非急性高血糖组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。多因素Logisitic回归分析结果显示入院时急性高血糖是急诊PCI术后CIN的独立危险因素,差异有统计学意义(OR=7.323,95%CI:2.134~12.418,P0.05)。结论入院急性高血糖是AMI急诊PCI术后CIN的独立危险因素,为优化临床AMI急诊PCI术前、术后治疗策略提供依据。     

白细胞介素-33与急性心肌梗死患者经皮冠状动脉介入术后心肌无复流发生的相关性研究

目的探讨白细胞介素-33(IL-33)与急性ST段抬高性心肌梗死(STEMI)经皮冠状动脉介入术(PCI)后心肌无复流发生风险的关系。方法共计纳入STEMI行急诊PCI的患者59例,其中男39例,女20例。于PCI术前采集血样本,以酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定血清可溶性IL-33和高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平。心肌无复流(MNR)定义为TIMI血流分级≤2或TIMI(TIMI)3且心肌呈色分级(MBG)≤2。结果共计21例(35.6%)STEMI患者发生MNR,与复流组相比,无复流组IL-33水平显著降低(P=0.019),hs-CRP水平显著升高(P=0.031)。多因素Logistic回归分析表明糖尿病(OR=0.123,95%CI:0.018~0.811,P=0.026)、发病至再灌注时间(OR=0.392,95%CI:0.314~1.106,P=0.025)、血栓负荷评分(OR=0.078,95%CI:0.007~0.913,P=0.040)、hs-CRP(OR=1.441,95%CI:1.162~1.793,P<0.001)、IL-33水平(OR=0.624,95%CI:0.436~0.877,P=0.014)是MNR的独立预测因子。结论 IL-33在MNR的发生中具有重要作用,其水平降低可能是MNR发生的危险因素之一。     

ICU治疗的老年急性冠脉综合征患者行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术后新发房颤的预测因素

目的评价在我院ICU行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)手术治疗的老年急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者术后新发房颤(NOAF)的预测因素.方法选取2016年5月至2019年4月在泉州市第一医院老年病科ICU进行急诊PCI手术治疗的老年ACS患者440例.根据患者术后是否发生NOAF将患者分为NOAF组与非NOAF组,收集并比较两组患者人口统计学资料、合并症、病史、超声与血管造影特征、治疗情况、术前实验室指标.对患者进行6个月隧访,比较两组患者预后指标.采用多变量分析评价患者发生NOAF及6个月死亡的独立预测因素.采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析相关预测因素敏感度、特异度.结果共有77例(17.5%)发生NOAF(NOAF组,n=77),363例(82.5%)未发生NOAF(非NOAF组,n=363).68例(15.5%)死亡.多变量Logistic回归分析表明,心肌梗死(MI)病史(OR=4.510,95%CI1.680~12.107,P=0.004)与单核细胞/高密度脂蛋白比值(MHR,OR=1.103,95%CI1.055~1.153,P<0.001)是老年ACS患者急诊PCI术后发生NOAF的独立预测因素.MHR的ROC曲线下面积为0.750,MHR预测NOAF的截断值为15.873,敏感度为75.98%,特异度为65.03%.多变量Cox比例模型分析表明,NOAF(HR=2.330,95%CI2.489~8.625,P=0.019)与Killip分级Ⅲ/Ⅳ级(HR=2.951,95%CI 1.219~7.137,P=0.017)是老年ACS患者急诊PCI术后6个月死亡的独立预测因素.结论MI病史和MHR是老年ACS患者急诊PCI术后发生NOAF的独立预测因素,NOAF与Killip分级Ⅲ/Ⅳ级是老年ACS患者急诊PCI术后6个月死亡的独立预测因素.     

不同时间窗经皮冠状动脉介入治疗急性心肌梗死预后因素分析

目的 通过比较不同时间窗经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)治疗急性ST段抬高性心肌梗死(STEMI)患者术后近、中期主要心脏不良事件(MACE)的发生情况,探讨不同时间窗PCI治疗对患者术后近、中期预后的影响以及分析对预后有意义的影响因素.方法 153例成功施行PCI治疗的初发STEMI患者分为两组:急诊PCI组(A组,103例)及择期PCI组(B组,50例).详细记录入选患者一般临床资料及冠状动脉造影、PCI结果,并记录住院期间病情变化及30、180 d随访期内MACE发生情况.结果 两组患者性别、年龄、吸烟史、高脂血症病史、糖尿病病史、高血压病史、左心室射血分数、前壁心肌梗死、冠状动脉病变程度(慢性闭塞性病变、三支病变)、责任血管(前降支、回旋支、右冠状动脉、左主干)间差异均无统计学意义(P均＞0.05).A组与B组超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)M(P25,P75)分别为9.8(14.1,26.3)mg/L与20.0(27.5,54.5)mg/L(Z=-2.322,P=0.020)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)分别为2.6(2.5,2.9)mmol/L与2.2(2.1,2.5)mmol/L(Z=-2.158,P=0.031)、手术持续时间分别为23(22,28) main与75(81,138) main(Z=-5.510,P=0.000)、肌钙蛋白分别为31.8(46.7,71.3) μg/L与7.5(11.3,26.9) μg/L(Z=-6.516,P=0.000),差异有统计学意义.两组住院期间及30、180 d内MACE发生率差异无统计学意义(P均＞0.05),并在细分的心绞痛发作、非致死性再梗死、梗死相关血管再次血运重建、心力衰竭及心源性死亡的发生率间差异均无统计学意义(P均＞0.05).采用SPSS 16.0软件包进行分析,Kaplan-Meier生存曲线显示无心脏事件生存率择期PCI组略好于急诊PCI组,OR117.95,95％ CI 96.30～ 139.60与OR 107.99,95％ CI 92.91～123.08,但差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);采用COX回归模型分析显示,性别、左心室射血分数及糖尿病病史是初发急性心肌梗死患者PCI术后180 d MACE发生的独立预测因素(OR 0.472,95％ CI 0.287～0.776,P=0.003; OR 0.782,95％ CI 0.618 ～0.988,P=0.040;OR 1.805,95％ CI 1.023 ～3.186,P=0.042).结论 性别、左心室射血分数及糖尿病病史可能是初发STEMI患者PCI术后180 d MACE发生的独立预测因素.     

急性有机磷中毒患者预后影响因素分析

目的探讨急性有机磷中毒患者预后的影响因素。方法回顾性分析83例急性有机磷农药中毒患者的临床资料,根据其转归分为死亡组14例和存活组69例,比较2组基本资料,采用多因素logistic回归分析急性有机磷中毒预后的影响因素。结果 2组中毒农药种类比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);死亡组肝功能损伤(14.29%)、高钠血症(21.43%)、代谢性酸中毒(35.71%)、呼吸衰竭(21.43%)、休克(7.14%)发生率均明显高于存活组(5.80%、10.14%、17.39%、8.70%、0)(P0.05);死亡组急性生理和慢性健康状况Ⅱ评分[(29.6±6.8)分]、初始动脉血乳酸[(5.4±2.4)mmol/L]、入院6h血乳酸[(5.9±2.2)mmol/L]、血糖[(14.6±5.7)mmol/L]、谷草转氨酶水平[(110.1±37.3)u/L]高于存活组[(22.7±7.2)分、(2.8±2.3)mmol/L、(2.0±1.9)mmol/L、(8.9±3.8)mmol/L、(30.4±4.3)u/L](P0.05),6h乳酸清除率[(-18.1±3.4)%]、初始血pH值(7.1±0.1)、谷丙转氨酶水平[(8.4±6.5)u/L]低于存活组[(2.8±2.3)%、7.4±0.1、(21.2±9.2)u/L](P0.05);多因素logsitic回归分析结果显示,入院6h血乳酸升高(OR=1.51,95%CI:1.08~3.47,P=0.010)、血糖升高(OR=9.03,95%CI:2.15~16.39,P0.001)是急性有机磷中毒患者预后的危险因素,血pH值高(OR=0.31,95%CI:0.18~0.49,P0.001)、入院6h乳酸清除率高(OR=0.60,95%CI:0.44~0.83,P=0.002)是急性有机磷中毒患者预后的保护因素。结论入院6h血乳酸、血糖水平升高是急性有机磷中毒患者预后的危险因素,血pH值、入院6h乳酸清除率高是其保护因素。     

血清增殖诱导配体水平与脓毒症急性肾损伤的关系CSCD

目的 探讨分析血清增殖诱导配体水平与脓毒症急性肾损伤的关系。方法 选取2020年10月~2021年10月保定市第一中心医院收治的106例脓毒症患者,入院时取患者空腹静脉血清标本,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清增殖诱导配体(a proliferation inducing ligand,APRIL)水平,根据血清APRIL表达中位数13.42(7.38,19.65)μg/L将患者分为血清APRIL高表达组(43例)和血清APRIL低表达组(63例)。分析血清APRIL表达水平与脓毒症急性肾损伤的关系。结果 血清APRIL高表达和低表达组患者性别、年龄、白细胞计数、C反应蛋白、降钙素原、胱抑素C、肌酐清除率、急性生理与慢性健康状况评分Ⅱ(acute physiologic and chronic health evaluation,APACHEⅡ)评分、机械通气、肾替代治疗、血清APRIL水平存在显著差异(χ^(2)/t=4.068、2.678、2.746、9.816、18.915、12.515、6.021、10.130、19.063、9.012、3.176,P=0.044、0.009、0.007、<0.001、<0.001、<0.001、<0.001、<0.001、<0.001、0.003、<0.001)。血清APRIL高表达组急性肾损伤发生率39.53%高于血清APRIL低表达组的19.05%,提示血清APRIL表达水平与脓毒症急性肾损伤有关(χ^(2)=5.398,P<0.001)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示:胱抑素C(OR=1.906,95%CI:1.219~2.980,P=0.005)、肌酐清除率升高(OR=2.067,95%CI:1.271~3.360,P=0.003)、APACHEⅡ评分≥12分(OR=6.290,95%CI:2.671~14.813,P<0.001)、血清APRIL升高(OR=6.848,95%CI:2.510~18.681,P<0.001)是脓毒症急性肾损伤的独立影响因素。结论 脓毒症急性肾损伤患者血清增殖诱导配体水平升高是脓毒症急性肾损伤的重要危险因素,与急性肾损伤发生密切相关。     

经皮冠状动脉介入术后支架内再狭窄的相关危险因素分析

目的探讨经皮冠状动脉介入术(percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI)后发生支架内再狭窄的相关危险因素。方法回顾性分析235例行PCI术患者的临床资料,术后1a发生支架内再狭窄55例为观察组,未发生支架内再狭窄180例为对照组,比较2组一般资料,采用多因素logistic回归分析发生支架内再狭窄的危险因素。结果观察组年龄[(65.9±10.0)岁]较对照组[(60.3±10.9)岁]大(P0.05),尿酸[(484.16±84.04)mmol/L]、肌酐[(84.36±28.19)μmol/L]、高敏C反应蛋白(high sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs-CRP)[(5.49±3.62)mmol/L]水平均高于对照组[(323.11±92.30)mmol/L、(75.81±24.78)μmol/L、(2.15±1.86)mmol/L](P0.05);多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,高龄(OR=1.104,95%CI:1.043~1.168,P=0.001)、PCI术前高尿酸水平(OR=8.431,95%CI:4.035~17.620,P=0.000)、高hs-CRP水平(OR=2.016,95%CI:1.519~2.674,P=0.000)是PCI术后1a发生支架内再狭窄的危险因素。结论高龄,PCI术前高尿酸、高hs-CRP水平是冠心病行PCI术患者术后1a发生支架内再狭窄的危险因素。     

Concomitant acute sinusitis and acute lung rejection

Two lung transplant recipients had concomitant acute sinusitis and acute lung rejection. Antibiotics and decongestants alleviated the sinusitis, but the symptoms of cough and dyspnea as well as spirometric defects necessitated treatment of acute lung rejection. In patients with clinical evidence of acute sinusitis after lung transplantation, concomitant acute lung rejection should be suspected if dyspnea or pulmonary dysfunction is also present. This appears to be the first report of concomitant acute sinusitis and acute lung rejection.     

Pathogenesis of acute encephalitis and acute encephalopathy

Many aspects of the pathogenesis of acute encephalitis and acute encephalopathy have been clarified in this decade, although many unknown mechanisms remain to be elucidated. According to progress of MRI and neuroimmunological analysis and the observation of clinical findings, many new syndromes were found, which enhanced our understanding of acute encephalitis and acute encephalopathy. The pathogenesis of encephalitis is divided into infection and immune mediated mechanisms. The antibodies to neuronal surface antigens(NSA) such as NMDA receptors, leucin-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) and aquaporin 4 were demonstrated in specific encephalitis, limbic encephalitis and neuromyelitis optica. Anti-NSA antibody encephalitis should be treated by immunotherapy such as corticosteroid and plasmapheresis. Acute encephalitis with refractory repetitive partial seizures (AERRPS) is a devastating postinfectious disease in children and adults, although the pathogenesis of AERRPS is poorly understood. Influenza associated encephalopathy(IAE) is characterized by it's high incidence in Japanese children between 1 year and 5 years of age, its onset in the first or the second day of illness and its high mortality (15-30%) and morbidity (25-40%). We proposed the classification of IAE with poor prognosis from the neuroradiological findings. Four types of encephalopathy seem to be differentiated from each other, acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) type, hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) type, acute brain swelling (ABS) type, febrile convulsive status epilepticus (FCSE) type. The notable radiological features are thalamic lesions in ANE, diffuse cerebral cortical cytotoxic edema in HSES, reversible cerebral swelling in ABS which sometimes reaches lethal brain herniation, and in FCSE type, dendritic high signal in subcortical white matter by DWI ("bright tree appearance") appears simultaneously with the later onset of repetitive focal seizure. These four types are not specific to IAE but are noticed in another encephalopathies caused by HHV6, rotavirus, etc.     

A focus on acute cholecystitis and acute cholangitis

Biliary infections are very common intra-abdominal infections. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and endoscopic retrograde management of acute cholangitis play important roles in the treatment of biliary infections. Also antimicrobial therapy is nevertheless important in the overall management of biliary infections. A multidisciplinary team of physicians, including surgeons trained in laparoscopic techniques, interventional gastroenterologists, and interventional radiologists may improve outcomes of patients with biliary infections. This review focuses the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and state of the art management of acute cholecystitis and acute cholangitis.     

从急性肾衰竭到急性肾损伤

早在古希腊时代,医学研究者就已经对肾脏疾病有所认识.作为临床肾病学的奠基人,希波克拉底曾经这样描述:"尿液表面出现泡沫可以表明肾脏疾病的发生和迁延."这可能是关于肾脏疾病最早的临床记录.在20世纪的两次世界大战中,大量伤员死于休克后的肾衰竭,而当时将这种疾病描述为"战争性肾炎".直到1951年,急性肾衰竭(ARF)这一名称才首次出现在Smith所编写的教科书中,他从生理学、病理学和临床方面对其进行了全面描述并提出了治疗原则[1].直至2002年,一个由肾脏科与危重症医师组成的团体--"急性透析质量指导组"(ADQI)建议使用急性肾损伤(AKI)代替ARF,这样就把轻度的急性肾功能减低也包含其中,更加有利于早期诊断和干预[2].无论称谓如何变迁,ARF的主要临床特点仍然是肾小球滤过率(GFR)下降,以及由此导致的代谢产物潴留、水和电解质及酸碱平衡紊乱等一系列病理生理改变,并伴随着血液中某些反映肾功能的标志物如血肌酐(SCr)、尿素氮(BUN)等明显升高.     

Assessment of acute phase proteins in acute ischemic stroke

Acute phase proteins (APPs) have been implicated to play important roles during both acute and chronic inflammatory processes in different diseases including ischemic stroke. Though there are several studies showing the importance of APPs as inflammation markers in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), the time course of these proteins during acute phase of AIS is not well known. Thus, the aim of this study was to show the changes in plasma levels of six APPs (i.e., haptoglobin [Hp], ceruloplasmin [Cp], high-sensitive C-reactive protein [h-CRP], fibrinogen, complement 3 [C3] and complement 4 [C4]) during the first 10 days after acute stroke. The study group consisted of 34 female and 19 male patients (n = 53; mean age 65 +/- 12 years), who had first acute ischemic stroke (AIS). An age-matched control group (n = 53; 32 female and 21 male subjects, mean age 62 +/- 6 years) was also included. To evaluate the plasma levels of six APPs, the blood samples of patients with AIS were withdrawn on admission (day 1), and after 3, 5 and 10 days, whereas only one measurement was performed in the control group. In addition, several cerebrovascular risk factors were determined. The peak levels of APPs were higher in the AIS group than the control group (p < 0.0001). In serial measurements, the levels of h-CRP, Hp, C3 and C4 showed alterations during 10 days after AIS (p < 0.0001, p < 0.05, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). The alterations in levels of fibrinogen and Cp were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). After stroke, h-CRP, C3 and fibrinogen reached their highest values on the third day, Cp and C4 on the fifth day, and Hp on the tenth day. The plasma levels of h-CRP correlated positively with other five APPs studied (p < 0.05). These findings support the importance of inflammation processes after stroke. We suggest that the differences in levels of APPs could be used in predicting the outcome of stroke patients.     

高血脂症性急性胰腺炎误诊急性阑尾炎患者的护理

目的 探讨高血脂症性急性胰腺炎患者病情观察及护理的要点.方法 回顾分析3例高血脂症性急性胰腺炎误诊为急性阑尾炎病例的临床资料,并对护理方法进行总结.结果 3例误诊病例入院时均有明显的三酰甘油水平升高（14.1～61.0 mmol/L）,血标本呈乳糜状脂浊血清,1例存有明显诱发因素,临床特点除右下腹症状、体征外,上腹部症状、体征持续存在,早期B超提示有腹腔积液,血、尿淀粉酶升高不明显.确诊后经严密观察病情、心理护理、营养支持护理、降血脂护理及健康宣教等护理后均痊愈出院.结论 临床护理工作中应提高对高血脂症性胰腺炎的认识,入院后全面的护理评估、仔细病情观察有助临床医生分析、判断病情,综合的护理干预促进疾病康复,重视健康宣教,有效控制血脂,去除诱发因素是疾病防治重点.     

Epidemiology of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are diseases with a significant influence in the public health. A better knowledge of their epidemiology could help to improve the outcome of these diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: Although the clinical criteria of the American-European Consensus Conference definitions for ALI and ARDS are simple, there is a risk of misclassification due to a poor reliability. Except for new emerging infectious diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, the etiology of ALI/ARDS has remained the same for several years. The only recent innovation is the hypothesis that pulmonary ARDS and extrapulmonary ARDS could be different clinical entities. In recent years, there has been a special interest in the study of genetic predisposition to development ALI/ARDS. Recent studies have estimated the incidence of these diseases to be between 15 and 34 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. This wide range could stem from differences in the methodology used to calculate the incidence or could be a true variation due to regional differences. Mortality rate of ALI/ARDS have remained steady for several years. Respiratory failure is the cause of the death in less than 20% of the patients. SUMMARY: The epidemiology of ALI and ARDS has some issues to improve, such as the accuracy of the clinical criteria of ALI/ARDS. Future research must to include study of genetic polymorphisms of the mediators involve in the development of ALI/ARDS. Studies to define better the population at risk are necessary to estimate better their true incidence.