Management of ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a relatively common and fatal disorder of diverse etiology. However, the common pathophysiology is almost similar leading to diffuse lung damage and respiratory failure. Earlier, the outcome used to be fatal with mortality rates as high as 70-80%. However with the use of newer ventilatory strategies the survival has improved grammatically. Although ventilatory support is the main stay of treatment various adjuncts has recently been introduced which are thought to be useful in the survival and benefit to these patients. ADJUNCTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ARDS Since the initial description of ARDS, mortality rates have ranged from 50 to 70%. Improved understanding of pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI/ARDS) has led to important advances in the treatment of ALI/ARDS Recent reports suggest that the mortality associated with ARDS may be falling, probably because of advances in supporting critically ill patients In this article we review the modern supportive care to treat ARDS