What can happen to patients with high plateau pressure in ARDS?

In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), high plateau pressures are indicative of increased airway resistance or lung compliance issues, leading to the potential for significant respiratory distress. When plateau pressures rise, it suggests that the lungs are facing difficulties in expanding properly, which can result in ventilation-perfusion mismatch and decreased effectiveness in gas exchange.

Thus, a direct consequence of high plateau pressure is an increased risk of respiratory failure. This condition can manifest as hypoxemia or hypercapnia, ultimately leading to the need for more aggressive respiratory support or mechanical ventilation.

While other options may have indirect associations with high plateau pressures, the most immediate and clinically significant concern is the increased risk of respiratory failure, making it the most pertinent answer in this context.