Lung Injury

The lungs are constantly pumping air to all of the organs and cells, no matter what you're doing. Breathing is something we do without thinking about, but it is necessary for every aspect of our bodies. Although the ribs provide some protection, lung injuries can occur. Fluid (and often air) leaks into the lungs as a result of trauma. When this happens, the lungs are unable to provide the oxygen that the body requires to survive. A blast wave travelling through lung tissue causes tissue rupture at the capillary-alveolar interface, resulting in lung injury. During prenatal life, lung damage with long-term effects on pulmonary function and cognitive development is possible. In severely ill patients, acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are still life-threatening conditions. Acute lung illness is defined as a chest radiograph with bilateral pulmonary infiltration consistent with edoema and no clinical signs of left atrial hypertension, or a pulmonary wedge pressure of 18 mmHg or less (if measured).