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Updated: May 20, 2026

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Published on: April 7, 2021
The acute respiratory distress syndrome
Michael A Matthay1, Lorraine B Ware, Guy A Zimmerman
1Cardiovascular Research Institute and Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA. michael.matthay@ucsf.edu
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) causes respiratory failure and organ damage. Lung-protective ventilation improves survival, but new therapies are needed for lung repair.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe form of acute respiratory failure.
- It is frequently linked to multiple organ failure and precipitated by conditions like pneumonia, sepsis, and trauma.
- Key physiological features include pulmonary edema, hypoxemia, and impaired CO2 excretion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the understanding of ARDS pathogenesis and resolution.
- To highlight advancements in managing ARDS.
- To identify future directions for therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental and clinical studies.
- Analysis of factors contributing to lung injury and repair.
- Evaluation of current treatment strategies like lung-protective ventilation.
Main Results:
- Progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of ARDS, including environmental and genetic influences.
- Lung-protective ventilation strategies have led to improved survival rates.
- The pathophysiology involves increased pulmonary vascular permeability and gas exchange abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Understanding ARDS mechanisms is advancing.
- Lung-protective ventilation is a key intervention improving outcomes.
- Future research should focus on novel therapeutics to enhance lung repair and recovery.
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