Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), also known as hyaline membrane disease, is a non-cardiogenic pulmonary condition characterized by diffuse alveolar damage resulting from widespread inflammation and capillary leakage triggered by triggers such as sepsis or trauma. The core pathophysiological mechanism involves macrophage-mediated cytokine release recruiting neutrophils that produce proteases and reactive oxygen species, causing endothelial injury, fibrin deposition in the airspaces (hyaline membranes), and surfactant washout which increases surface tension to induce alveolar collapse. This condition belongs to respiratory pathology theory where it is defined by bilateral infiltrates, rapid onset hypoxemia independent of heart failure, and a progression that distinguishes itself from cardiogenic pulmonary edema through its inflammatory etiology rather than hydrostatic pressure dynamics.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), also known as hyaline membrane disease, is a non-cardiogenic pulmonary condition characterized by diffuse alveolar damage resulting from widespread inflamm…