The Scientific Basis for PEEP Therapy

Abstract

The term ARDS was initially proposed in 1967, however, anatomic descriptions of this pathology were first published in World War II. In recent years, the anatomic descriptions have varied in terms of endothelial and interstitial derangement; however, description of alveolar cell involvement has been a consistent and ever-present morphologic derangement. In fact, it was the morphologic similarity of epithelial cell abnormality that led this form of lung injury in the adult to be compared with, and eventually named after, the infant respiratory distress syndrome.