Etiology and Treatment of Acute Lung Injury

Book excerpt: This book contains contributions of internationally known basic scientists and clinicians with expertise in various aspects of lung injury and repair. This monogram on the pathophysiology and treatment of Acute Lung Injury contains five different sections, each one with contributions from both basic and clinical scientists, outlining existing controversies, an how they can be resolved by future multidisciplinary studies. The various sections discuss: sodium transport and fluid clearance across the normal and injured lungs, the role of the pulmonary surfactant in the pathogenesis and treatment of ARDS, mechanisms and modification of acute and chronic lung injury, ventilatory strategies for the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome and nitric oxide: friend or foe.