Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Most people who develop ARDS are already hospitalized for another condition, and many are critically ill. You're especially at risk if you:

  • Have a widespread infection in your bloodstream (sepsis)
  • Have chronic liver disease (cirrhosis)
  • Use a breathing machine (mechanical ventilator)
  • Have had certain types of surgery recently
  • Are a heavy drinker
  • Are a current or former smoker
Complications Causes
References
  1. What is ARDS? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Ards/Ards_WhatIs.html. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  2. Adult (acute) respiratory distress syndrome. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/atf/cf/%7B7a8d42c2-fcca-4604-8ade-7f5d5e762256%7D/ALA_LDD08_ARDS_FINAL.PDF. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  3. Deal EN, et al. Role of corticosteroids in the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Clinical Therapeutics. 2008;30:787.
  4. George KJ. A systematic approach to care: Adult respiratory distress syndrome. Journal of Trauma Nursing. 2008;15:19.
  5. Zambon M, et al. Mortality rates for patients with acute lung injury/ARDS have decreased over time. Chest. 2008;133:1120.
  6. Leaver SK, et al. Acute respiratory distress syndrome. BMJ. 2007;335:389.

DS00944

May 7, 2009

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger