Introduction
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a permeability
pulmonary edema characterized by increased permeability
of pulmonary capillary endothelial cells and
alveolar epithelial cells, leading to hypoxemia that is refractory
to usual oxygen therapy. In a national study in
Iceland, the incidence of ARDS almost doubled, but hospital
mortality decreased during the 23 years of observation
[1]. In a prospective study in Spain, despite use of
lung-protective ventilation, overall ICU and hospital
mortality of ARDS patients is still higher than 40% [2].
The aim of this review is to provide an update on ARDS.