Recent advances in understanding and treating ARDS [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

Acute respiratory distress syndrome represents a complex syndrome with considerable morbidity and mortality, for which there exist no targeted treatment strategies. However, recent advances in clinical care have improved outcomes, and we will review a number of these approaches here, as well as explore the mechanisms underlying the benefit of intervention that might point us in the direction toward future treatment and preventive strategies for this devastating syndrome.