A New Therapy for the Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

In the 26 years since Ashbaugh et al.¹ first described the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we have progressed considerably in our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder. Unfortunately, we have made much less progress in our ability to improve its outcome. In this issue of the Journal, Rossaint et al. describe a new treatment for ARDS -- inhaled nitric oxide². Their results may represent an important advance in therapy for ARDS.ARDS may sometimes result from direct injury to the lungs (for example, from aspiration of gastric contents, pneumonia, or inhalation of a toxic substance); it may . . .