COVID-19 and respiratory distress syndrome

BioVU and SD Biobanking

What is acute respiratory distress syndrome?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is when fluids build up in small air sacs in your lungs. ARDS prevents your lungs from filling up with air and causes low oxygen levels in your blood. Healthcare providers diagnose a person as having mild, moderate, or severe ARDS. They determine that level by comparing the level of oxygen in your blood, with the amount you need to be a healthy level.

ARDS prevents other organs from getting the oxygen they need to function. ARDS is dangerous and can lead to several serious and life-threatening problems. 

COVID-19 usually begins as an upper respiratory tract infection. In some patients, the virus enters the lower respiratory tract. This causes direct injury to the lungs by filling the air sacs with excess fluid. As decrease in oxygenated blood occurs, breathing becomes distressed, and oxygen in organs becomes too low. The lungs attempt to heal, but the result of this becomes ARDS.

How was the research done?

The study team will organize information from BioVU participants to see what can happen with COVID-19 infections. They will look at the genetic factors that make some people more likely to get ARDS from COVID-19. To capture a lot of different patients, they will compare BioVU genetic results with results from other studies.

What is the significance of this study?

This study can help find health problems in COVID-19 patients, like ARDS. By understanding these conditions, new treatments may be uncovered. This study can improve our understanding of COVID-19 and ARDS, which can lead to better outcomes for patients.