Pulmonary failure and the production of leukotrienes.

The activation of neutrophils and elaboration of leukotrienes has a role in the pathophysiologic factors of many of the disease states seen by surgeons and nonsurgical counterparts. Although direct evidence of cause and effect is lacking, there is a growing array of literature proving the importance of neutrophils and LTB4 in the pathophysiologic factors of ARDS and MOF after significant illness or injury. Experimental and clinical data using alteration of arachidonic acid metabolism through drugs or diet should begin to accumulate to regulate the detrimental inflammatory response seen after severe illness or injury.