The degree of hypoxemia upon presentation is the most important predictor of respiratory failure in patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) secondary to antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to data from a single-center cohort study.
Researchers said the SpO2/FiO2 ratio can be used to gauge the risk of developing respiratory failure in patients with AAV-related DAH. The ratio can be determined using noninvasive pulse oximetry.
In addition, patients with DAH secondary to AAV more often achieve complete remission by 6 months with rituximab (Rituxan) than with cyclophosphamide, according to the findings published online in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Early Hypoxemia Predicts Respiratory Failure in ANCA Vasculitis
