Incidence and Outcome of the Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Gram-Negative Sepsis

Twenty cases of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 86 cases of Gram-negative bacteremia were identified. Features of Gram-negative bacteremia associated with the development of ARDS included a history of cardiac disease, hypotension, and thrombocytopenia. The mortality of patients with and without ARDS was 90% and 55%, respectively. The association of hypotension and thrombocytopenia with the subsequent development of ARDS suggests the possible role of endotoxin-induced coagulopathy in this complication. (Arch Intern Med139:867-869, 1979)