Summary

The absence of Phase 3 trials showing a mortality benefit from pharmacological treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) has led to a shift toward identifying patients who are at risk for lung injury and employing risk modification and treatment to prevent progression to respiratory failure or the need for mechanical ventilation. Such an approach includes the use of novel pharmaceutical agents in addition to those previously used unsuccessfully to treat established acute respiratory distress syndrome. This strategy also includes identifying and treating at-risk patients in the emergency department or even perioperatively and is not limited to targeting patients in the intensive care unit.