In patients with ARDS, levels of soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) are higher in the pulmonary edema fluid than in plasma [73], suggesting an alveolar source, but no correlation was found between plasma sTM and the development of ARDS, yet higher levels of sTM were observed in patients at high risk for ARDS. The gene discussed is THBD; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.