Biomarkers in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract The article provides an overview of efforts to identify and validate biomarkers in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and a discussion of the challenges confronting researchers in this area. Although various putative biomarkers have been investigated in ARDS, the data have been largely disappointing and the 'troponin' of ARDS remains elusive. Establishing a relationship between measurable biological processes and clinical outcomes is vital to advancing clinical trials in ARDS and expanding our arsenal of treatments for this complex syndrome. This article summarizes the current status of ARDS biomarker research and provides a framework for future investigation.