Clinical meaning
RDS: Surfactant Physiology involves alterations in airway structure, gas exchange, or pulmonary vascular function. RDS pathophysiology includes changes in ventilation-perfusion matching, airway resistance, and pulmonary compliance.
Diagnosis & workup
Diagnostics & workup: - D-dimer (high sensitivity, low specificity for PE) - CT pulmonary angiography for PE evaluation - Pulse oximetry and continuous SpO2 monitoring - Thoracentesis with Light criteria for pleural effusion classification - Polysomnography for sleep-disordered breathing - Methacholine challenge for suspected asthma with normal spirometry - Procalcitonin for bacterial vs viral pneumonia differentiation
Risk factors: - GERD with chronic microaspiration - Childhood asthma with persistent airway hyperreactivity - Obesity with restrictive physiology and OSA - Prematurity with bronchopulmonary dysplasia history - Prior TB exposure or latent TB infection - Radiation therapy to chest - Cystic fibrosis genotype (CFTR mutations)