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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Published on: April 7, 2021
Ventilatory support for acute respiratory failure: new and ongoing pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic
Lorenzo Del Sorbo1, Arthur S Slutsky
1Dipartimento di Anestesia e Terapia Intensiva, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni Battista, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy. lorenzo.delsorbo@unito.it
Novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools are emerging to combat acute respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome in ICUs. Integrating physiological, clinical, and technological approaches is key to improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Acute respiratory failure (ARF) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are prevalent in ICUs, associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of ARF/ARDS remains a critical challenge in critical care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review ongoing research and novel approaches in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic advancements for ARF and ARDS.
- To highlight recent developments aimed at minimizing ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI).
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for ARF/ARDS.
- Focus on technologies designed to reduce VILI.
Main Results:
- Several novel diagnostic tools, including electrical impedance tomography, are being investigated.
- Therapeutic advancements include high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, extracorporeal CO2 removal, and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist.
- These tools show promise in minimizing ventilator-induced lung injury.
Conclusions:
- The integration of physiological, clinical, and technological strategies is essential for improving outcomes in patients with ARF.
- Continued research into novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions is crucial for advancing critical care for ARF/ARDS patients.
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