Nebulized Heparin to Reduce COVID-19-induced Acute Lung Injury: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND

High mortality due to COVID-19 disease has been a serious concern, a few of the causes being disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and venous thromboembolism. Considering this, some experts have used heparin. However, its role still needs to be validated.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This study predicts the role of nebulized heparin in decreasing the severity of lung injury caused by COVID-19. Thirty patients admitted with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, were included in this study, which was conducted over a period of 3 months. Patients were nebulized with 2 mL of heparin 5,000 units/mL IV formulation diluted with 3 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride, every 6 hours for a total duration of 7 days. Improvement in oxygenation (ratio of partial pressure of oxygen in blood and fraction of inspired oxygen delivered, pO2/FiO2 ratio) was calculated as the primary outcome. Other parameters like effect on inflammatory markers (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, total leukocyte count, interleukin (IL-6), and D-dimer values), time to liberate from mechanical ventilation, and hospital stay were calculated as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

In our study population, the mean age was 54.5 years and the majority of patients were males (79.0%). All patients received prone ventilation and none of them required tracheostomy. However, 5 patients (16.6%) succumbed to illness. After nebulization with unfractionated heparin, no statistically significant difference was seen in the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (mean = 6.87, p = 0.318) and interleukin (IL-6) levels (mean = 62.85, p = 0.6) over 7 days. Similarly, the D-dimer level also had no statistically significant change (mean = 1853.73 p = 0.570). However, there was a statistically significant improvement in oxygenation (pO2/FiO2 ratio) over 7 days (mean = 184.96, p = 0.00). Similarly, there was a significant improvement in PaO2 (84.17 ± 33.82) and SO2 (92.30 ± 3.49). Although, no significant changes were seen in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide on nebulized heparin administration.

CONCLUSION

Administration of nebulized heparin in COVID-19 pneumonia with mild ARDS may improve oxygenation and result in the improvement of inflammatory markers with variable sensitivity and specificity.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Gupta B, Chandrakar S, Gupta N, Jain G. Nebulized Heparin to Reduce COVID-19-induced Acute Lung Injury: A Prospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(3): 222-224.