[Acute lung failure].

Abstract

Ever-increasing knowledge of the pathomechanisms and the phasic pathogenesis of ARDS has increased the demand for adequate monitoring and has modified therapeutic strategies. The influence of monitoring by double indicator dilution technique (COLD system) with the close measurement of extravascular lung water on the diagnosis and therapy of ARDS is presented. Pressure-controlled ventilation (< 35 cm H2O) in combination with moderate PEEP, kinetic therapy (prone position) and elective CVVH already in the early stages of ARDS can be regarded as the standard therapy. The effectiveness of NO inhalation, prostaglandins and radical scavengers still has to be improved in controlled clinical trials.