Surfactant therapy in combination treatment of COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract

ntroduction. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an outbreak of viral lung infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome complicated with acute respiratory failure. Despite the fact that the pandemic has a lengthened run, none of the therapeutic approaches have proved to be sufficiently effective according to the evidence-based criteria. We consider the use of surfactant therapy in patients with severe viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as one of the possible methods for treating COVID-19 related pneumonia. Objective. To prove the clinical efficacy and safety of orally inhaled Surfactant-BL, an authorized drug, in the combination therapy of COVID-19 related ARDS. Materials and methods. A total of 38 patients with COVID-19 related severe pneumonia and ARDS were enrolled in the study. Of these, 20 patients received the standard therapy in accordance with the temporary guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, version 9. And 18 patients received the surfactant therapy in addition to the standard therapy. Surfactant-BL was used in accordance with the instructions on how to administer the drug for the indication – prevention of the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. A step-by-step approach to the build-up of the respiratory therapy aggressiveness was used to manage hypoxia. We used oxygen inhalation via a face mask with an oxygen inflow of 5–15 l/min, highflow oxygen therapy via nasal cannulas using Airvo 2 devices, non-invasive lung ventilation, invasive lung ventilation in accordance with the principles of protective mechanical ventilation. Results and discussion. Significant differences in the frequency of transfers to mechanical ventilation, mortality, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospitalization length of stay (p <0.05) were found between the groups. Patients receiving surfactant therapy who required a transfer to mechanical ventilation accounted for 22% of cases, and the mortality rate was 16%. In the group of patients receiving standard therapy without surfactant inhalation 45% were transferred to mechanical ventilation, and 35% died. For patients receiving surfactant therapy, the hospital stay was reduced by 20% on average, and ICU stay by 30%. Conclusion. The inclusion of surfactant therapy in the treatment of COVID-19 related severe pneumonia and ARDS can reduce the progression of respiratory failure, avoid the use of mechanical ventilation, shorten the ICU and hospitalization length of stay, and improve the survival rate of this patient cohort.