Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is common in mechanically ventilated patients with cirrhosis but is not independently associated with increased mortality.

The mean age in 181 eligible patients was 53 ± 11 years; 67% were male; and 91% were Caucasian.

In all, n = 35 (19%) of mechanically ventilated patients had acute respiratory distress syndrome.

They were more frequently female (46% vs 30%; p = 0.08), with suspected infection (86% vs 53%; p < 0.001), and had higher mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (32 vs 24; p < 0.001) and Chronic Liver Failure-Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (15 vs 11; p < 0.001) than patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome. Demographic and clinical data were reviewed, and acute respiratory distress syndrome was identified per Berlin criteria. Demographic and clinical characteristics on ICU admission in patients with and without acute respiratory distress syndrome were compared.

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