title: Fluids in ARDS: from onset through recovery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Early acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by protein-rich inflammatory lung edema often associated with a hydrostatic component. Mechanical ventilation with positive intrathoracic pressure further induces salt and water retention, while impairing the pathways designed for edema clearance. In this framework, we will review the recent findings on fluid strategy and edema clearance in ARDS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistently, conservative strategies lead to better oxygenation and reduce the length of mechanical ventilation. A possible drawback associated with conservative strategy is the impaired cognitive function. Echography may be used for safer use of furosemide or hemofiltration therapy during edema clearance. Albumin and furosemide techniques may accelerate edema clearance, particularly when pulmonary capillary permeability is restored. Beta-2 agonist therapy does not accelerate edema clearance and is potentially dangerous.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lung edema is likely the single pathogenic factor more relevant for ARDS severity and outcome. Fluid overload must be avoided. Several monitoring techniques are available to reach this target. No specific studies are available to recommend a given fluid composition in ARDS. In our opinion, the general recommendations for fluid composition suggested for severe sepsis and septic shock should be applied to ARDS that may be considered an organ-confined sepsis.
authors: aDipartimento di Anestesia, Rianimazione ed Emergenza Urgenza, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan bDipartimento di Fisiopatologia Medico-Chirurgica e dei Trapianti, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan cDipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Microchirurgiche e Mediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari dUnità Operativa Complessa di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors: Luciano
authors: L
authors: Gattinoni
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Cressoni
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Brazzi
mesh_terms: D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*