There was no obvious advantage with initial high-dose thrombolysis, which may be a type-2 error. A reduction of major re-interventions was recorded.

No abstract

Nebulized beclomethasone dipropionate was administered to 14 anesthetized and artificially ventilated pigs at 6-hourly intervals after infusion of live S. aureus (BDP group). Changes in pulmonary activity from autologous granulocytes labeled with In-111 was detected externally for 12 (n = 8) to 44 h (n = 6). The changes were compared with those in ten pigs (12 h n = 7, 44 h n = 3) subjected to the same insults but given no corticosteroid (placebo group). Serial measurements of blood radioactivity, and cardiac output were performed in animals observed for 12 h. Corticosteroid-treated pigs showed a gradual decline in decay-corrected pulmonary In-111 activity. The placebo group displayed a more varied reaction, but most animals had an increased activity compared to the corticosteroid group. The difference between the groups was significant at 8 h (BDP-group 92% (88-98), placebo-group 107% (97-121), median (lower-upper quartiles), baseline = 100%. P < 0.01, U-test). Blood radioactivity and cardiac output did not differ significantly between the two groups. Nebulized corticosteroid thus diminished pulmonary granulocyte accumulation, which may be of value in the treatment of septic respiratory distress.

Nebulized beclomethasone dipropionate was administered to six anesthetized and artificially ventilated pigs at 6-hourly intervals after infusion of live S. aureus (aerosol group). Changes in pulmonary mechanics, gas exchange and hemodynamics during an observation period of 44 h were compared with those in six pigs subjected to the same insults but given no corticosteroid (non-treatment group). Six pigs served as controls, without sepsis or aerosol, but with the same general management (control group). The septic insult induced an acute 3-fold increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) in the aerosol and non-treatment group. MPAP fell to near baseline levels in the aerosol group, but remained significantly higher in the non-treatment group. Mean systemic arterial pressure fell more in the non-treatment than in the aerosol group, reaching its lowest level at 32 h. Pulmonary function was less affected in the aerosol group, with significantly better maintenance of arterial oxygenation, lower venous admixture and superior lung-thorax compliance than in the non-treatment group. Survival was significantly improved in the aerosol group. In this porcine model of septicemia-induced adult respiratory distress syndrome, nebulized corticosteroid thus attenuated the development of respiratory failure.

Nebulized corticosteroid protects pulmonary function in sepsis, indicating a therapeutic role in the treatment of septic ARDS.