Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a form of acute lung injury which usually occurs within 24 hours of a major illness or injury. Unfortunately a clear definition of ARDS does not presently exist, and the variability in the diagnostic criteria may impact on the results of clinical trials for ARDS and our understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of this syndrome. In this article the history of ARDS is reviewed and a few of the definitions that have evolved over wtime are explored in depth. In addition, several controversies with these existing defiitions are discussed.
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