Cardiac Dysfunction in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a heterogenous condition with significant mortality and limited therapeutic options. Although hypoxic respiratory failure tends to be the hallmark of the disease, there can be significant cardiac compromise, particularly in the right ventricle. Echocardiography plays an important role in the early diagnosis and recognition of right ventricular dysfunction. Treatment of said dysfunction with mechanical ventilation strategies and therapies such as inhaled nitric oxide or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation remain poorly studied but offer potential salvage strategies.