Acute respiratory distress syndrome is caused by all kinds of damage factors of acute diffuse inflammatory lung injury, with respiratory distress and difficult to correct hypoxemia as the main performance of clinical syndrome, its pathogenesis is complex, pathological physiology change exists heterogeneity, and the case fatality rate is high, seriously endanger the patient’s life and health. By reviewing the relevant studies at home and abroad in recent years, this article reviews the research progress of risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome, in order to provide a basis and reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment and future exploration.