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Lung Injury

Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ALI/ARDS)

Acute Lung Injury and the more severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome are conditions characterised by rapid and severe inflammation and fluid collection in the lungs following some kind of insult. The condition can be the result of aspiration of fluid, inhalation of toxic fumes, bilateral pneumonia or sepsis, as well as many others. The current research divides its focus between the molecular mechanism of ALI and ARDS and the development of treatment (which is largely in vivo).

Applications commonly used in ALI / ARDS research include whole body plethysmography and Inhalation towers with respiratory assessment when developing compounds for direct delivery to the airways.

Ventilator Induced Lung Injury/Barotrauma

The hyper-inflation of the lungs as well as the exposure to above normal oxygen levels can have damaging effects for ventilated patients. VILI can manifest itself as tension pneumothorax as well as several other serious conditions. The rapid onset of the condition and the high morbidity rate mean that physicians and nurses must carefully monitor ventilated patients.

Like ALI and ARDS most of the in-vivo experimentation is intended to elucidate mechanisms and develop treatment. Some of the more common approaches are whole body plethysmography, double chamber plethysmography and classical resistance and compliance.

(c) EMMS