What is the primary goal of treatment for patients with ARDS?

The primary goal of treatment for patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is to maintain oxygenation and ventilation. ARDS is characterized by severe respiratory failure due to acute lung injury, which results in hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels) and difficulty in maintaining adequate ventilation. Therefore, the main focus of treatment involves ensuring that the patient receives enough oxygen and that carbon dioxide is properly eliminated from the body.

Achieving adequate oxygenation often requires interventions such as supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or even advanced modalities like prone positioning or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in severe cases. The use of these techniques aims to improve gas exchange and ensure that vital organs receive sufficient oxygen.

While clearance of lung secretions, reduction of airway inflammation, and antibiotic therapy can play roles in the overall management of patients with ARDS—especially if there are underlying infections or inflammatory processes—these do not address the immediate and critical need to maintain sufficient oxygenation and ventilation, which is paramount in the acute setting of ARDS. This focus on oxygenation and ventilation reflects the urgent nature of the condition and the need to stabilize the patient’s respiratory function as quickly as possible.