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Updated: Aug 13, 2025

A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways
Published on: May 9, 2016
Mechanisms of impaired alveolar fluid clearance
Hiroki Taenaka1,2,3, Michael A Matthay1,2
1Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Abstract:
Impaired alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) is an important cause of alveolar edema fluid accumulation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Alveolar edema leads to insufficient gas exchange and worse clinical outcomes. Thus, it is important to understand the pathophysiology of impaired AFC in order to develop new therapies for ARDS. Over the last few decades, multiple experimental studies have been done to understand the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms that regulate AFC in the normal and the injured lung. This review provides a review of AFC in the normal lung, focuses on the mechanisms of impaired AFC, and then outlines the regulation of AFC. Finally, we summarize ongoing challenges and possible future research that may offer promising therapies for ARDS.
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