Corticosteroid by aerosol in septic pigs — effects on pulmonary function and oxygen transport

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Abstract
To assess effects of nebulized corticosteroid on lung function in sepsis. Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study in septic pigs. A trauma research laboratory 16 juvenile pigs, one excluded due to pulmonary hypertension at baseline. Mechanical ventilation and continuous light anesthesia. Brief infusion of liveStaph. aureus (4×1010cfu) followed by nebulization of beclomethasone sone dipropionate (BDP) 50μg/kg (n=8) or placebo (n=7) 30 and 360 min after start of septic challenge. Vascular pressures, cardiac output, lung mechanics, gas exchange and oxygen transport variables were measured at regular intervals. An identical transient rise in mean pulmonary artery pressure was seen in both groups (mean±SD: 48±4 mmHg), followed by a gradual increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, reaching maximum at 4h but significantly reduced by BDP compared to placebo (pppppp<0.05). Nebulized corticosteroid protects pulmonary function in sepsis, indicating a therapeutic role in the treatment of septic ARDS.