In mechanically ventilated patients, whom we considered to be at increased risk of developing ARDS, we aimed to perform a pilot study to explore whether associations exist between diagnosis of ARDS and the plasma concentration of TF as the primary endpoint, and ARDS and plasma levels of PAI-1 and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), respectively, as secondary endpoints. This evidence concerns the gene SERPINE1 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.