The American journal of the medical sciences
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The Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a fulminant form of respiratory failure affecting many seriously ill patients. The early manifestations of ARDS are caused by increased permeability of the alveolo-capillary barrier leading to pulmonary edema, stiff lungs, and a large right-to-left intrapulmonary shunt. ⋯ ARDS therapy remains largely supportive and has had little impact on mortality. The complications of infection and multiorgan failure play important roles in determining ARDS outcome.