Open Lung Biopsy in Nonresolving Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Commonly Identifies Corticosteroid-Sensitive Pathologies, Associated With Better Outcome

Objectives: Approximately half of the patients undergoing lung biopsy for nonresolving acute respiratory distress syndrome exhibit another histologic pattern than diffuse alveolar damage, with some of the pathologies characterized by a potential response to corticosteroids. This study aimed to assess whether open lung biopsy performed in the ICU for nonresolving acute respiratory distress syndrome was able to identify steroid-sensitive diseases and whether patients with a steroid-sensitive pathology experienced different clinical courses and outcomes. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: One 22-bed mixed ICU within a tertiary medical center. Patients: Patients age greater than or equal to 16 years old who met the Berlin definition for acute respiratory distress syndrome and underwent open lung biopsy from January 2007 to January 2017. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: During the study period, 695 patients diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome were identified, 51 (7%) of whom underwent open lung biopsy. An alternative diagnosis to diffuse alveolar damage was found in 29 patients (57%), and a steroid-sensitive pathology was identified in 19 (37%). In-hospital and 180-day mortality rates were 55% and 61%, respectively. There was a significant difference in hospital mortality and 180-day mortality rates between patients with steroid-sensitive pathology and those with steroid-resistant pathology (37% vs 65%; p

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