Studies of Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Summary

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role in maintenance of normal vascular tone. However, in sepsis the excessive production of NO results in myocardial depression, vasoplegia, and cytotoxic effects, thus promoting shock and multiple organ dysfunction. A recently completed study from our group showed advantageous cardiovascular effects of continuously infused methylene blue (MB), an inhibitor of NO pathway, in human septic shock. In another investigation, we have found that the combination of inhaled NO and continuously infused MB attenuates endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in sheep. Our intention is, in a new study, to test the hypothesis that the combination of MB and NO (MB+NO) improves both cardiovascular and pulmonary functions as well as clinical outcome in patients with septic shock and ALI. Forty mechanically ventilated patients diagnosed with hyperdynamic septic shock and ALI, will be randomized to groups receiving 1. Conventional treatment (control group)(n =10); 2. MB infusion in addition to conventional treatment (n=10); 3. Inhaled NO in addition to conventional treatment (n=10); 4. MB infusion combined with inhaled NO (MB+NO) in addition to conventional treatment (n=10).

Timeline

Start

2004-04

Primary completion

2014-09

Completion

2014-09

Drugs

Indications