Acute respiratory distress syndrome: Epidemiology and management approaches

Abstract

Acute lung injury and the more severe acute respiratory distress syndrome represent a spectrum of lung disease characterized by the sudden onset of inflammatory pulmonary edema secondary to myriad local or systemic insults. The present article provides a review of current evidence in the epidemiology and treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome, with a focus on significant knowledge gaps that may be addressed through epidemiologic methods. © 2012 Walkey et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.