ABSTRACT
The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common clinical condition that affects both medical and surgical patients. It carries a high mortality rate that has changed only modestly since it was first described over 30 years ago. The true incidence of ARDS has been difficult to determine because the definition of the syndrome has only recently been standardized. Promising advances in the treatment of ARDS continue to be evaluated but the benefit of these treatments has not been clearly established, and management strategies have only recently affected mortality. This chapter provides an overview of the definitions, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, established and evolving treatment, and prognosis in this important clinical syndrome.
