Bench-to-bedside: The use of local anesthetics to attenuate inflammation in acute respiratory distress syndrome

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a world-wide treatment challenge, with high morbidity and mortality. The central pathophysiology of ARDS centers around inflammation in the lung and increased microvascular permeability. Local anesthetics have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects at the basic science level and the advent of local anesthetics with improved cardiovascular safety profiles has made use of local anesthetics in attenuating the inflammation in ARDS a recent research interest. In this review, we will provide a brief summary of some of the basic science work in local anesthetics and lung inflammation and provide a case for the bench to bedside research in this potential therapy.