title: The modern version of adult respiratory distress syndrome.
abstract: Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a highly lethal complication of autodestructive inflammation. This syndrome originally referred to a single organ failure but is now considered a component, usually the first, of the multisystem organ failure syndrome (MOFS). Cytokines, neutrophils, and endothelial adherence molecules initiate the disease process, with cell injury caused by oxidants and proteases released from inflammatory cells. ARDS, if progressive, will result in pulmonary fibrosis. Improved ventilatory support techniques have not been shown to decrease mortality. Pharmacologic manipulation of the inflammatory response is a more promising method of controlling the disease process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Demling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003422:Critical Care; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D010450:Endopeptidases