Adult respiratory distress syndrome

The adult respiratory distress syndrome carries a mortality rate of 60-65% which has remained unchanged since its description more than 20 years ago. As our knowledge of the pathophysiology of ARDS improves, so does our ability to better define this disease entity. This is important since our therapy has been supportive with no change in outcome. The recent thinking is that ARDS is part of a multi-system disease process where there is activation of a total body inflammatory response. Identifying these inflammatory mediators and their role in the pathogenesis of ARDS may allow specific drugs to inhibit or modulate their release and action and hopefully alter the course of the disease. New therapeutic options, like exogenous surfactant, are emerging and undergoing clinical trails. Till a cure for ARDS is proven effective, prevention and support are our only current therapeutic options in battling ARDS.