Berlin definition of ARDS

The Berlin definition of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a medical guideline used to diagnose severe lung inflammation. It considers the timing of symptoms (within a week of injury or illness), specific chest imaging showing lung fluid buildup, the severity of breathing difficulties based on oxygen levels, and the absence of heart failure as the primary cause. Essentially, ARDS causes the lungs to become inflamed and filled with fluid, making it difficult to breathe and getting enough oxygen into the blood, often requiring medical support like ventilators.