What is the Survival Rate from ARDS?
Recent data show that about 40-50% of patients die from ARDS. These statistics have vastly improved from an 80% mortality reported in the past, when first described in 1967. Increased awareness, better understanding of the disease process, better control of the ventilator, and improved diagnosing and therapy have been responsible for the improvement in survival. The severity and progression of the injury determine the degree of treatment. Other factors that may influence the course of the syndrome include age or the presence of underlying health problems. Young, previously healthy patients often recover well and the lung injury heals rapidly. However, patients with older age or underlying health problems may have a more severe course of illness. Further deterioration of their vital organ function and an inability to tolerate the organ damage may result in death.
