ABSTRACT
Acute lung injury (ALI) and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are syndromes of acute respiratory failure that account for considerable morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. The syndrome was originally described by Dr. Petty in 1967 (see Chap. 1). The support of the Lung Division of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for basic research, clinical research, as well as for clinical trials has had an enormously positive impact in this field. The purpose of this final chapter will be to highlight areas where particular progress has been made both in clinical and basic research as well as to emphasize some potentially promising areas for future research.
