Grant: Operating Grant

Patients who develop a disease known as Acute Lung Injury or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) have a very high mortality. Mortality is particularly high in the subset of patients with ARDS who develop fibrosis (scarring) in their lungs while they are on a breathing machine (called a ventilator) in the intensive care unit. Our hypothesis is that the ventilator which helps saves the patient's life by taking over the breathing function while they are ill, may actually contribute to the development of the scarring (fibrosis). Our studies will use animal models to see whether our hypothesis is correct, and will also try various therapies to prevent and/or treat the fibrosis. If our hypothesis is true that the ventilator can cause lung fibrosis, the increased understanding generated our studies may lead to new therapies that can be tested in patients with acute lung injury to decrease the high mortiality of this deadly syndrome.