Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Acute Lung Injury/Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Inclusion Criteria

• •1. Patients that meet the American-European Consensus Conference criteria for ARDS \[(1) Widespread pulmonary infiltrates; (2) Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 18 mmHg; (3) PaOz/FiO; ratio 200; (4) compatible history\], or acute lung injury \[same as ARDS, but PaOz/FiOz ratio 300\], or are at increased risk for developing acute lung injury because of sepsis, pancreatitis, trauma, acid aspiration, radiation or chemotherapy-induced lung toxicity, and near drowning. Pulmonary edema is divided into two broad categories: hydrostatic or cardiogenic and increased-permeability or noncardiogenic edema12. Since ARDS is noncardiogenic in origin, patients with pulmonary edema due to congestive heart failure will serve as a control group.
• •2. Inpatients that are endotracheally intubated.
• •3. Patients that are able to provide informed consent or informed consent is granted by a family member or legal health care proxy.
• •4. Males or females that are 18 years or older.