Safety and potential efficacy of an aerosolized surfactant in human sepsis-induced adult respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of aerosolized surfactant in intubated patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

DESIGN: A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel, multicenter pilot clinical trial.

PATIENTS: A total of 51 patients with sepsis-induced ARDS were entered into the study within 18 hours of developing sepsis or sepsis syndrome.

INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized into four treatment groups in a 2:1:2:1 ratio, as follows: 12 hours of surfactant per day, 12 hours of 0.6% saline per day, 24 hours of surfactant per day, and 24 hours of 0.6% saline per day. Surfactant or saline was aerosolized continuously for up to 5 days using an in-line nebulizer that aerosolized only during inspiration.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ventilatory data, arterial blood gases, and hemodynamic parameters were measured at baseline, every 4 or 8 hours during the 5 days of treatment, 24 hours after treatment, and 30 days after treatment, at which time mortality was also assessed. Safety was evaluated throughout the 30 days of the study.

RESULTS: Surfactant was administered safely in ventilated patients when given continuously throughout the 5 days using the nebulizer system. Although there were no differences in any physiological parameters between the treatment groups, there was a dose-dependent trend in reduction of mortality from 47% in the combined placebo group to 41% and 35% in the groups treated with 12 hours and 24 hours of surfactant per day, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Aerosolized surfactant was well tolerated when administered on a continuous basis for up to 5 days; however, at the doses given, it did not result in significant improvements in patients with sepsis-induced ARDS.