Acute respiratory distress syndrome

Disease Overview

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood. [5234] People who develop ARDS often are very ill with another disease or have major injuries.[5235] The condition leads to a buildup of fluid in the air sacs which prevents enough oxygen from passing into the bloodstream. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, low blood pressure and organ failure, rapid breathing and shortness of breath.[5234]

Synonyms

• ARDS
• Acute lung injury
• ALI
• Adult respiratory distress syndrome
• Respiratory distress syndrome, adult
• Increased-permeability pulmonary edema
• Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema
• Shock lung
• Stiff lung