Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are serious
complications of acute illness and injury, associated with an inpatient mortality
of up to 40%. Despite considerable basic science and clinical research, therapeutic
options for established ALI are limited. Survivors of ARDS are often faced with poor
health-related quality of life, depressive-anxiety disorders, cognitive deficits,
and financial strain. An attractive approach toward managing ALI lies in its prevention
and early treatment. In addition to improving recognition of at-risk patients, it
is necessary to identify novel treatments targeting the pathways that may prevent
or ameliorate lung injury. The rationale and animal and clinical evidence for aspirin,
systemic and inhaled steroids, β-agonists, renin-angiotensin axis blockers, statins,
peroxisome proliferator agonist receptor ligands, curcumin, and inhaled heparin are
included in this narrative review. Randomized, controlled trials are currently being
designed and implemented to address their efficacy in populations at risk for ALI.
Keywords
acute lung injury - acute respiratory distress syndrome - multiorgan dysfunction syndrome
- lung injury prediction score
