Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are severe respiratory diseases that have not been well characterized in veteri nary medicine. Despite extensive research into this area in human medicine over the past 30 years, little is known about the exact pathogenesis of thi s complex syndrome. With the increase in veterinary critical care facilitie s and the greater number of owners who are willing to enter into extensive treatment of critically ill animals, there will also be an increase in the number of ALI/ARDS cases that are identified and treated. Therefore, it is essential for veterinarians not only to recognize the clinical signs of ALI /ARDS but also to know the risk factors that may predispose patients to dev eloping these respiratory diseases. Knowledge of the complex pathophysiolog y as well as the pathogenesis is also required to anticipate changes in the animal's condition. To date, treatment remains primarily symptomatic and i s aimed at improving oxygenation. This article is intended to provide clini cians with a basic understanding of the risk factors, pathophysiology, path ogenesis, clinical signs, and treatments that may help improve the survival of veterinary patients with ALI/ARDS.