Clinical pathological characteristics and management of acute respiratory distress syndrome resulting from influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Young adults, especially pregnant woman and patients with pre-existing medical conditions, appear to be at risk for the development of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from influenza A (H1N1) infection, leading to critical hypoxemia. This may require high ventilator settings, the use of nonconventional modes, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in some cases. This severe ARDS may be related to prolonged and virulent viral infection, inducing ongoing aberrant immune responses and leading to extensive lung damage. Duration of antiviral therapy, the timing of steroid introduction, and moving away from standard ventilation techniques in ARDS may be key points in disease management.