title: Defining adult respiratory distress syndrome.
abstract: Adult respiratory distress syndrome is a continuum of severe, evolving, diffuse lung injury, often complicated by multiorgan failure. Its pathophysiology is unclear and its treatment is empirical. It is diagnosed clinically using criteria that have no consensus and do not address underlying mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index