Acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the sudden onset of hypoxemia and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, typically occurring within 72 hours of an inciting event, such as trauma, pneumonia, or sepsis. It is crucial in clinical practice as it can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), significantly impacting patient morbidity and mortality. A key association is the development of pulmonary edema, which impairs gas exchange and requires prompt intervention.