CRP and acute respiratory distress syndrome: Along with increased levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen, ARDS is associated with a high pro-inflammatory status, cytokine “storm”, and macrophage and endothelial activation, with increased levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) [5].