Mortality from ARDS has declined with improvements in general critical care treatment and with the introduction of low tidal volume ventilation. Current mortality from ARDS is 26-44%, with most deaths due to sepsis and nonpulmonary organ failure. Increased risk of mortality from ARDS is associated with advanced age, preexisting organ dysfunction (e.g., chronic conditions of liver disease, alcohol abuse, immunosuppression, or renal disease). Increased mortality has also been associated with ARDS related to direct lung injury (e.g., pneumonia, pulmonary contusion, and aspiration) compared with indirect lung injury (e.g., sepsis, trauma, and pancreatitis). Most surviving ARDS pts do not have significant long-term pulmonary disability.