Experimental methods to quantify alveolar fluid clearance have been adapted for our studies
in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) or ARDS. We recently completed a study of 79
patients with ALI/ARDS that was designed to examine alveolar fluid clearance in the setting
of alveolar epithelial injury from ALI/ARDS. Pulmonary edema fluid and plasma were
sampled serially in the first 4 h after endotracheal intubation and the initiation of positive-
pressure ventilation. Net alveolar fluid clearance was calculated from sequential edema fluid …