Present status of study of seawater drowning-induced acute lung injury / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

With the exploitation of marine resources and environmental deterioration, perilous events in the sea are gradually increasing. Seawater drowning is one of the most important causes of death. Researches on seawater drowning have attracted more and more interests in recent years, and certain progresses have been achieved in scientific research and clinical treatment. In the aspects of theory and establishment of a model, a renewed concept of seawater drowning-induced acute lung injury (SWD-ALI) has been acquired, the animal model of SWD-ALI has been successfully reprodaced for elucidation of the pathological and pathophysiological changes in lung tissue. Multiple results of molecular biological research on SWD-ALI have contributed to illuminating the pathogenesis involved. It is indicated that, compared with freshwater-induced lung injuries, SWD-ALI is severer in clinical picture, and it might develop to a peculiar seawater drowning-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (SWD-ARDS) if no prompt and effective treatment is employed. For the clinical treatment for SWD-ALI, comprehensive therapies based on mechanical ventilation have been approved. The scientific outcomes mentioned above have laid a foundation for the full realization of SWD-ALI and more effective rescue of SWD-ALI patients.