The cause of pulmonary edema in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is primarily due to increased:

In Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), the primary mechanism behind pulmonary edema is increased capillary permeability. This condition is characterized by damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane, which leads to increased permeability of the pulmonary capillaries. As a result, proteins and fluid leak from the vascular space into the interstitium and alveoli of the lungs, resulting in pulmonary edema.

The increased capillary permeability is often a consequence of various factors such as inflammation, infection, or direct injury to the lung tissue, which is typical in ARDS. This allows not only fluid but also inflammatory mediators and proteins to enter the alveolar spaces, which subsequently disrupts normal gas exchange and contributes to respiratory failure.

Understanding the role of capillary permeability in ARDS helps clarify why interventions aimed at treating the underlying causes of inflammation and restoring capillary integrity are vital in managing this critical condition.