Berlin ARDS Criteria

ARDS Definition Task Force; Ranieri VM, Rubenfeld GD, Thompson BT, et al. Acute respiratory distress syndrome: the Berlin Definition. Replaced the 1994 AECC definition: fixed timing (≤ 1 week), removed the term "acute lung injury", required PEEP/CPAP ≥ 5 cmH2O, and graded severity by PaO2/FiO2 (mild/moderate/severe), which stratified mortality (27%, 32%, 45%).

If no ARDS risk factor is present, hydrostatic (cardiogenic) oedema must be objectively excluded (e.g. echocardiography). Severity should be assessed on standardised ventilator settings; the ratio can be affected by PEEP and FiO2. A 2023 global definition additionally recognises ARDS on high-flow nasal oxygen ≥ 30 L/min and by SpO2/FiO2 — check which definition your unit uses.