title: Pharmacology of acute lung injury.
abstract: The acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome that affects both medical and surgical patients. To date, despite improved understanding of the pathogenesis of ALI/ARDS, pharmacological modalities have been unsuccessful in decreasing mortality. However, several pharmacological agents for ARDS are in development and have shown great promise. In addition to the anti-inflammatory category including late corticosteroids, inhaled nitric oxide, alveolar surfactant, and vasodilators are being evaluated. Replacements of anticoagulation mediators have also suggested beneficial effects on the patient outcome. This article provides an overview of pharmacological treatments of ALI/ARDS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Sadatomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tasaka
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Akitoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ishizaka
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D011453:Prostaglandins; D009569:Nitric Oxide