Complications | Definitions |
---|---|
Suspected pulmonary infection | General signs of infection, at least one of the following criteria: patient received antibiotics, core body temperature > 38 °C, leukocytosis > 12,000 cells per μL; and signs of an infection of pulmonary origin, at least one of the following criteria: new or changed sputum, or new or changed lung opacity on chest X-ray when clinically indicated. |
Atelectasis | Lung opacification with shift of the mediastinum, hilum, or hemidiaphragm towards the affected area and compensatory overinflation of the adjacent non-atelectatic lung. |
Pulmonary edema | Defined as diffuse alveolar interstitial infiltrates with dyspnea and rales related to left ventricular failure, confirmed by one of the following: echocardiography, pulmonary catheter, or clinical improvement with specific treatment. |
Pleural effusion | Chest X-ray demonstrating blunting of the costophrenic angle, loss of the sharp silhouette of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm in upright position, evidence of displacement of adjacent anatomical structures, or (in supine position) a hazy opacity in one hemithorax with preserved vascular shadows. |
Respiratory failure | Â |
Mild | PaO2 < 60 mmHg, 8 kPa, or SpO2 < 90% in room air but responding to mask or nasal supplementary oxygen (excluding hypoventilation). |
Intermediate | PaO2 < 60 mmHg, 8 kPa, or SpO2 < 90% and needing invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (excluding hypoventilation) |
Severe | PaO2-to-FiO2 ratio < 300 mmHg or 40 kPa regardless of level of PEEP, needing invasive mechanical ventilation (acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome). |