Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs and the accumulation of fluid in the alveoli. This severely impairs gas exchange, leading to hypoxemia. Management focuses on supporting respiratory function while the underlying cause—such as sepsis or pneumonia—is treated.
Clinical protocols emphasize lung-protective ventilation, using low tidal volumes to prevent further mechanical injury to fragile lung tissue. Prone positioning is frequently employed to improve ventilation-perfusion matching, while in the most severe cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides temporary bypass of the lungs to ensure systemic oxygenation.
The biological hallmark of ARDS is the disruption of the alveolar-capillary barrier. This leads to the influx of protein-rich edema fluid and the inactivation of surfactant, causing alveolar collapse. Early identification through imaging and arterial blood gas analysis is vital, as the condition can progress rapidly from mild dyspnea to full respiratory failure within hours.
Fluid management is another critical aspect, with clinicians aiming for a "dry" lung approach to minimize edema without compromising systemic perfusion. Survivors of ARDS often face a long recovery period involving physical rehabilitation and monitoring for pulmonary fibrosis. Research into anti-inflammatory agents and mesenchymal stem cell therapies continues to seek ways to reduce the high mortality rate associated with this complex syndrome.