The pulmonary surfactant system.

Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)

Surfactant's importance is underscored by the severe morbidity of deficiency states--primary, as in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, or secondary, as in ARDS. Current knowledge of surfactant synthesis and metabolism is reviewed. Clinically, the effectiveness of exogenous surfactant in RDS has prompted investigation of its administration in ARDS.