Continuous positive airway pressure in the prophylaxis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Alternate patients believed to be at risk for developing ARDS were placed on CPAP for the first twenty-four hours post upper abdominal surgery. Ten of the 58 controls developed ARDS, requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation with a 30% mortality rate. Only one of the 59 CPAP patients developed evidence of ARDS. This patient, however, is believed to have had fluid overload, and responded quickly to diuretics and was extubated within two days. Thus, prophylactic CPAP has greatly decreased our postoperative morbidity and mortality related to respiratory causes.