Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Following Anaphylactic Shock—“A Deadly Duel”—Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

A 58-year-old Asian female developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following anaphylactic shock. Several similar cases have been reported in the literature, attributed to the pathophysiological mechanisms of anaphylaxis or interestingly, the treatment itself; adrenaline, majority of the latter being related to administration of supra-therapeutic doses. According to our clinical experience, the possibility of ARDS should be considered in patients who develop unexplainable hypoxaemia following anaphylactic shock. This case report discusses the pathophysiology of ARDS both in anaphylaxis and following epinephrine treatment and key aspects of management of ARDS with a main focus on the role of high flow oxygen, diuretics and anxiolytics. The importance of avoiding drug administration errors is also highlighted.