COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome: Pathological, radiological and clinical concordance

Abstract

Severe coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) represents viral pneumonia from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, when ARDS occurs as part of COVID-19, it has different features. The strategy of breathing support is very important in treating COVID-19 related ARDS (CARDS). Though it meets the CARDS Berlin definition, COVID-19 pneumonia is a specific disease with different phenotypes. Recently, it has been suggested that CARDS has two phenotypes, type L (Type 1 or non-ARDS) and type H (Type 2, ARDS), and these phenotypes respond differently to respiratory support treatments. In this review, after mentioning the pathophysiology and radiological relationship of CARDS, the definition and treatment approaches of two different forms of CARDS were discussed.