Which condition is NOT typically associated with ARDS?

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe inflammatory response in the lungs that can be triggered by various direct or indirect insults. Pneumonia, sepsis, and aspiration of gastric contents are among the most well-known causes leading to ARDS.

Pneumonia can directly affect the alveoli by causing infection and inflammation, leading to fluid accumulation and impaired gas exchange, which are hallmark features of ARDS. Similarly, sepsis involves a systemic inflammatory response that can affect lung function, often resulting in ARDS as a complication. Aspiration introduces foreign material into the lungs, which can cause significant inflammatory responses and also potentially trigger ARDS.

In contrast, an asthma attack typically involves airway constriction and inflammation that occur primarily in the bronchi, rather than a widespread inflammatory response affecting the alveolar-capillary membrane. While severe asthma can lead to respiratory distress, it does not commonly lead to ARDS, as the pathophysiological mechanisms differ significantly from those associated with ARDS triggers. This distinction is crucial in understanding the conditions related to ARDS and helps in identifying which situations typically lead to this severe complication.