Pulmonary sequelae in survivors of the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

A spectrum of pulmonary impairment may follow an episode of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). At one end of the spectrum is normal pulmonary function; at the opposite is severe impairment. The late pulmonary effects of ARDS usually lie between these two extremes. This article describes the pulmonary sequelae of ARDS, reviews information concerning factors that may influence these sequelae, and provides suggestions for clinical evaluation of ARDS survivors.