Pulmonary damage associated with falciparum malaria; a report of ten cases

Abstract

Ten cases of pulmonary involvement associated with falciparum malaria are described. Measurements of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were made in 5 of the 10 cases, and no evidence of raised hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary microcirculation was found which could account for the pulmonary edema observed. All cases were treated with O2 and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), and there were 6 survivors. The evidence to support the presence of an adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)-type lesion in malaria is discussed.