Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Patients with ARDS have pulmonary damage from an acute, usually severe, diffuse inflammatory lung injury that leads to increased vascular permeability and loss of aerated tissue. Mortality from ARDS is estimated to range from 26% to 58%, and in-hospital mortality is high (46.1%) for those with severe ARDS. Survivors have extensive morbidity, including neurocognitive dysfunction, physical disabilities, and psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Lung function may be compromised for as long as 5 years.