Acute respiratory distress syndrome pathophysiology

Elevated levels of MMPs have been implicated in the pathophysiology of various lung diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis (V2). MMPs, EMMPRIN, and TIMPs are produced by many of the resident cells in the lung, hence complicating the analysis of their role in disease (F5, F6, FI2). Potential use of MMP inhibitors for treatment of these disorders remains to be explored. 

The Role of Chemokines in the Pathophysiology of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)... 

Bhatia M, Moochhala S. Role of inflaimnatory mediators in the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome. J Pathol 2004 202(2) 145-156. 

The syndrome of acute hypotension, adult respiratory distress syndrome, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, anemia, coagulopathy, and anaphylactic reactions after the administration of dextran 70 is referred to as the dextran syndrome (36-39). Factors other than acute volume overload due to intravascular absorption of dextran are thought to account for the syndrome. A combination of diverse pathophysiological factors may be responsible, namely direct pulmonary toxicity, activation of the coagulation cascade, release of vasoactive mediators, hypotension, pulmonary edema, intravascular intravasation of fluids, dilution of blood, and impaired renal and hepatic clearance. Cases of pulmonary edema are described under the section Respiratory. 

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