Evolving epidemiology and definitions of the acute respiratory distress syndrome and early acute lung injury

Andrew J Sweatt; Joseph E Levitt

doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2014.08.002

Evolving epidemiology and definitions of the acute respiratory distress syndrome and early acute lung injury

Clin Chest Med. 2014 Dec;35(4):609-24. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2014.08.002. Epub 2014 Sep 26.

Authors

Andrew J Sweatt¹, Joseph E Levitt²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
² Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Electronic address: jlevitt@stanford.edu.

PMID: 25453413
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2014.08.002

Abstract

This article reviews the evolving definitions and epidemiology of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and highlights current efforts to improve identification of high-risk patients, thus to target prevention and early treatment before progression to ARDS. This information will be important for general practitioners and intensivists interested in improving the care of patients at risk for ARDS, and clinical researchers interested in designing clinical trials targeting the prevention and early treatment of acute lung injury.

Keywords: ALI; ARDS; Acute lung injury; Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Criteria; Definition; Epidemiology; Prevention.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Acute Lung Injury / diagnosis
Acute Lung Injury / epidemiology*
Epidemiologic Methods
Humans
Respiratory Distress Syndrome / diagnosis
Respiratory Distress Syndrome / epidemiology*
Respiratory Function Tests / standards
Severity of Illness Index
Terminology as Topic