To integrate current knowledge in terms of basic and clinical science and to highlight problems, thirty world-renowned experts in the field of acute lung injury describe the state of up to date knowledge regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management of acute lung injury. Novel techniques for the clinical support of these difficult patients are discussed in full. Prospects for successful pharmacological intervention are also outlined. This book is aimed at those practising within the field of critical care and is likely to become an indispensable aid to all concerned with the investigation and management of patients with severe respiratory failure.

Epidemiology of Acute Lung Injury

Epidemiology of ARDS. Incidence and Outcome: A Changing Picture
Prognostic Factors and Outcome of ALI
Basic Mechanisms of Injury and Response
Cytokines and Lung Injury
Complement and Endotoxin in Lung Injury
Protective Effects of the Stress Response in Sepsis and ALI
Alveolar Surfactant and ARDS
BAL Inflammatory Markers of Initiation and Resolution of ALI
Lung Repair
The Pulmonary and Systemic Circulation in ARDS
The Pulmonary Circulation in ALI
Right Ventricular Function in ALI and ARDS
Systemic Circulatory Function and Peripheral Oxygen Delivery in ALI and ARDS
The Alveolar Epithelial Barrier
Quantifying Lung Injury in ARDS
ALI and the Alveolar Epithelial Barrier
Mechanical Ventilation
Pressure-Volume Relationship in the Injured Lung
Lung Recruitment during ARDS
Permissive Hypercapnia
Low versus High Tidal Volumes
Respiratory Muscle Fatigue and Weaning
Liquid Ventilation
Perfluorocarbon Liquid Ventilation in Pediatric ALI
Experience in Liquid Ventilation
Extra-Pulmonary Adjuncts to Ventilatory Support
Extracorporeal Respiratory Support
Permissive Hypercapnia or the Prone Position in ARDS?
The Effects of Prone Position on Respiratory Function
Pharmacological Manipulation of V/Q in ALI and ARDS
Inhaled Nitric Oxide: Clinical Experience
Pharmacological Modifications of the Pulmonary Circulation in ALI
Inhaled Nitric Oxide: Toxicity and Monitoring Issues
Clinical Trials in ARDS
Co-intervention Control: A Critical Need in ICU Clinical Research
Designing the Perfect Clinical Trial in ALI and ARDS
Future Clinical Trials of Mechanical Ventilation in ARDS and ALI
Future Clinical Trials of Pharmacologic Interventions.