Fluid Management in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract This chapter appraises on the FACTT trial, which investigated fluid management strategies for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The trial compared a conservative fluid management approach with a liberal one, assessing patient outcomes, including mortality, organ failure, and ventilator-free days. The trial found that conservative fluid management improved lung performance, reduced ventilator-free days, and showed a trend toward better clinical outcomes compared to liberal fluid strategies. The study highlighted that invasive hemodynamic monitoring does not enhance survival or organ function outcomes. Finally, the chapter discusses that conservative fluid management is advantageous and should be incorporated into clinical practice for ARDS patients, aligning with subsequent studies and treatment guidelines.