The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. In this issue of the Journal, Anzueto et al.1 report the results of a large, multicenter, randomized trial that was carried out to evaluate the potential benefit of aerosolized surfactant therapy in patients with ARDS. Disappointingly, there was no benefit. It is important to analyze the results of this trial carefully, so that the possibility of success in future trials can be maximized.Although the cellular and molecular mechanisms that cause injury to the lung may not be the same in . . .