Physiology InFocus
From Molecules to Organisms: Approaches to Systems and Integrative Physiology
Integrating Acute Lung Injury and Regulation of Alveolar Fluid Clearance

Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are types of severe, acute lung dysfunction affecting all or most of both lungs that occurs as a result of illness or injury.  Major symptoms may include breathing difficulties, rapid breathing, excessively deep and rapid breathing, and insufficient levels of oxygen in the circulating blood. ALI may develop in conjunction with widespread infection in the body or as a result of pneumonia, trauma, shock, severe burns, aspiration of food into the lung, multiple blood transfusions, and inhalation of toxic fumes, among other things. It usually develops within 24 to 48 hours after the original illness or injury and is considered a medical emergency.  In every case, ALI involves excessive fluid accumulation in the lungs.  Despite the clinical importance of ALI, even the normal control of fluid balance in the lung is poorly understod.  This symposium will examine both the normal control of fluid balance (Presentations 1 and 2), some of the triggers for alveolar flooding associated with ALI (Presentation 4), and potential interventions (Presentations 1 and 4).