Right ventricular failure in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Right ventricular failure can be the result of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A patient with eclampsia and sepsis with Staphylococcus aureus developed life-threatening right ventricular failure as a result of ARDS. She finally stabilized after treatment with inhaled nitric oxide (NO). The pathophysiology of right ventricular failure in ARDS is described.