Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Definition, Diagnosis, and Routine Management

Crit Care Clin. 2024 Apr;40(2):309-327. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2023.12.003. Epub 2024 Jan 4.

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute inflammatory lung injury characterized by severe hypoxemic respiratory failure, bilateral opacities on chest imaging, and low lung compliance. ARDS is a heterogeneous syndrome that is the common end point of a wide variety of predisposing conditions, with complex pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms. Routine management of ARDS is centered on lung-protective ventilation strategies such as low tidal volume ventilation and targeting low airway pressures to avoid exacerbation of lung injury, as well as a conservative fluid management strategy.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Heterogeneity; Lung-protective ventilation; Phenotypes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lung Compliance
  • Lung Injury*
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome* / therapy