Diagnostic biomarkers and miRNAs in prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a disease of the lung and/or extrapulmonary system characterized by acute, progressive breathing difficulty and refractory hypoxemia. After years of revision, the 2012 International Expert Conference developed a new diagnostic standard for ARDS, known as the Berlin definition, which provides good guidance on how to define and judge the disease in clinical practice. Despite the establishment of diagnostic standards and treatment improvements, ARDS mortality rate still remains high. The primary reason is that the pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated. In patients with ARDS, damage to the alveolar capillary membrane may occur, leading to increased vascular permeability and the occurrence of pulmonary edema. Therefore, exploring the pathogenesis of ARDS from the perspective of microvascular permeability and identification of effective targets may be key factors in the diagnosis and treatment of ARDS. This review presents the current literature regarding the role of miRNAs (micro ribonucleic acids) in early detection and prediction of ARDS outcome.