ACE and acute respiratory distress syndrome: Prehospital use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers has been associated with better outcomes in patients with acute respiratory failure and may serve as an independent prognostic factor.[34] In patients with ARDS, early diuretic use was independently linked to reduced hospital mortality.[35] Similarly, β-blockers have been associated with lower mortality in critically ill ARDS patients.[36]