This so‐called microvascular rarefaction leads to the formation of large hypoperfused areas and is associated with various ARDs, including vascular cognitive impairment and heart failure.[68] A primary consequence of this phenomenon is tissue hypoxia.[69] Cells under hypoxic conditions react by upregulating the expression of proangiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).[69, 70] However, the imbalance between angiogenic and anti‐angiogenic mechanisms in aging tissues can impair the effect of this compensatory response,[70] as further discussed below. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and acute respiratory distress syndrome.