Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2764789 | Journal of Critical Care | 2014 | 6 Pages |
PurposeNoninvasive ventilation (NIV) can reduce the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether the combination of NIV with administration of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor could improve outcome and respiratory conditions in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)-patients, according to the Berlin definition.MethodsARDS-patients were treated with NIV and a neutrophil elastase inhibitor. Patients were classified as having mild, moderate, and severe ARDS. ARDS-patients were divided into survivors and nonsurvivors on day 28 after the induction of NIV.ResultsA total of 47 ARDS-patients received NIV, and 37 of these patients did not require endotracheal intubation. Eight mild, 17 moderate, and 10 severe ARDS-patients were alive on day 28 after the induction of NIV. When ARDS-patients were divided into groups based upon an initial Pao2/Fio2 greater or less than 150 torr, the serial changes of both the Pao2/Fio2 and the lung injury score improved dramatically in those patients with a Pao2/Fio2 > 150. The survival ratio showed statistically significant differences in mild and moderate ARDS-patients treated with the neutrophil elastase inhibitor.ConclusionsAdministration of neutrophil elastase inhibitor with NIV may be associated with successful outcome in mild-to-moderate ARDS-patients with initial Pao2/Fio2 > 150.