Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Fluid Management: Finding the Perfect Balance

ARDS is a challenging syndrome in which the hallmark is alveolar epithelium damage, with the consequent extravasation of fluids into the interstitium and alveolar space. Patients with severe ARDS almost always require mechanical ventilation and aggressive fluid resuscitation, at least in the initial phases. The increased intrathoracic pressure during positive pressure ventilation reduces cardiac output, worsening the circulatory status of these patients even more. In this pathological context, fluid therapies serve as a means to restore intravascular volume but can simultaneously play a detrimental role, increasing the amount of liquid in the lungs and worsening gas exchange and lung mechanics. Indeed, clinical research suggests that fluid overload leads to worsening outcomes, mostly in terms of gas exchange, days of mechanical ventilation, and ICU stay duration. For these reasons, this review aims to provide basic information about ARDS pathophysiology and heart-lung interactions, the understanding of which is essential to guide fluid therapy, together with the close monitoring of hemodynamics and fluid responsiveness.