Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe form of respiratory failure characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs. This leads to fluid leakage into the air sacs (alveoli), which prevents oxygen from entering the bloodstream and results in life-threatening hypoxemia that requires immediate intensive care.
The primary treatment strategy focuses on lung-protective ventilation, which uses lower air volumes to prevent mechanical damage to the lungs while maintaining adequate gas exchange. In more severe cases, clinicians may use prone positioning—placing the patient on their stomach—to improve the distribution of air and increase blood oxygen levels.
ARDS is often triggered by an underlying insult such as pneumonia, sepsis, or significant trauma. The inflammatory response causes the alveolar-capillary barrier to break down, leading to the formation of a protein-rich fluid that inhibits the function of surfactant, the substance that normally keeps the lungs open. Without enough surfactant, the lungs become stiff and difficult to inflate.
When conventional ventilation is insufficient, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be used as a "rescue" therapy to take over the work of the lungs by oxygenating the blood outside the body. Long-term recovery for ARDS survivors can be challenging, often requiring physical rehabilitation to regain muscle strength and address potential psychological trauma. Continuous monitoring and early intervention are the keys to improving survival rates in this complex and heterogeneous syndrome, which remains a significant focus of critical care research.