Mechanical Ventilation and ARDS – Podcast Summary and References This is the sixth of a special podcast series on obstetric critical care.  I am joined on this series by Dr. Elizabeth Garchar, MD, FACOG.  She is an OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist who has a particular interest in obstetric critical care.  She is also unique in that she flies regularly with our critical care transport teams as a retrieval OBGYN/MFM and is one of our Assistant Medical Directors for the flight program.  The topic of this podcast is Mechanical Ventilation and ARDS in pregnancy.  Although respiratory distress requiring intubation and ARDS in pregnancy is not very common, it is more common than some of the other pathologies we have discussed recently.  Mechanical ventilation of the pregnant patient can be intimidating, but rest assured that if you have the capabilities to manage other patients on a vent, you can manage the pregnant patient.  Generally speaking solid outcomes data is sparse and, generally speaking, most guidelines recommend vent management of mechanical ventilation in patients with or without ARDS similarly to non-pregnant patients…with a few exceptions.  This podcast reviews the basics of ARDS and evidence-based management.  It reviews some specific features of obstetric physiology and fetal gas exchange that are important to keep in mind.  Finally, we will review what guidance is available and review general recommendations for managing these patients in transport. For additional learning and a more in-depth review of the evidence check out this talk on gas exchange and mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients by Dr. Allison Lankford (part of the amazing Maryland CC Project lecture series): http://maryland.ccproject.com/2023/05/30/lankford-gas-exchange-and-pulmonary-ventilation-in-the-critically-ill-obstetric-patient/ References 1. Abou-Arab O, Huette P, Debouvries F, Dupont H, Jounieaux V, Mahjoub Y. Inhaled nitric oxide for critically ill Covid-19 patients: a prospective study. Crit Care. Nov 12 2020;24(1):645. doi:10.1186/s13054-020-03371-x2. Barrantes JH, Ortoleva J, O'Neil ER, et al. Successful Treatment of Pregnant and Postpartum Women With Severe COVID-19 Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Asaio j. Feb 1 2021;67(2):132-136. doi:10.1097/mat.00000000000013573. Bhatia PK, Biyani G, Mohammed S, Sethi P, Bihani P. Acute respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation in pregnant patient: A narrative review of literature. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. Oct-Dec 2016;32(4):431-439. doi:10.4103/0970-9185.1947794. Boelig RC, Saccone G, Bellussi F, Berghella V. MFM guidance for COVID-19. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. May 2020;2(2):100106. doi:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2020.1001065. Campbell LA, Klocke RA. Implications for the pregnant patient. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Apr 2001;163(5):1051-4. doi:10.1164/ajrccm.163.5.163536. Carter AM. Factors affecting gas transfer across the placenta and the oxygen supply to the fetus. J Dev Physiol. Dec 1989;12(6):305-22. 7. Carter AM. Placental Gas Exchange and the Oxygen Supply to the Fetus. Compr Physiol. Jul 1 2015;5(3):1381-403. doi:10.1002/cphy.c1400738. Cavalcante FML, Fernandes CDS, Rocha LDS, Galindo-Neto NM, Caetano J, Barros LM. Use of the prone position in pregnant women with COVID-19 or other health conditions. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2021;29:e3494. doi:10.1590/1518-8345.5181.34949. Cojocaru L, Turan OM, Levine A, et al. Proning modus operandi in pregnancies complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to COVID-19. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. Dec 2022;35(25):9043-9052. doi:10.1080/14767058.2021.201346410. Cole DE, Taylor TL, McCullough DM, Shoff CT, Derdak S. Acute respiratory distress syndrome in pregnancy. Crit Care Med. Oct 2005;33(10 Suppl):S269-78. doi:10.1097/01.ccm.0000182478.14181.da11. D'Souza R, Ashraf R, Rowe H, et al. Pregnancy and COVID-19: pharmacologic considerations. Ult