What is the most common cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?

The most common cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is sepsis. Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection that can lead to widespread pulmonary inflammation and damage. In ARDS, sepsis can initiate a cascade of events that results in increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane, leading to pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange.

Sepsis accounts for a significant proportion of ARDS cases because it can arise from various infections, such as pneumonia, which makes it a prevalent and critical contributor to the onset of ARDS. The systemic effects of sepsis, including the release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines, can severely affect lung function and are key mechanisms in the development of ARDS.

While heart failure, pneumonia, and trauma can also lead to ARDS, particularly pneumonia as a frequent cause, sepsis is more often recognized as a broader and frequent underlying condition driving the development of this syndrome, making it the most common cause in clinical contexts.