ARDSNet02: Efficacy of Corticosteroids as Rescue Therapy for the Late Phase of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (LaSRS)

Objectives:

Since previous reports suggested that corticosteroids may improve survival, this project was developed as a multicenter, randomized controlled trial of corticosteroids in patients with persistent ARDS.

Background:

Persistent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by excessive fibroproliferation, ongoing inflammation, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and a substantial risk of death.

Subjects:

180 randomly assigned patients with ARDS of at least seven days' duration received either methylprednisolone or placebo in a double-blind fashion. The primary end point was mortality at 60 days.

Conclusions:

The results do not support the routine use of methylprednisolone for persistent ARDS despite the improvement in cardiopulmonary physiology. In addition, starting methylprednisolone therapy more than two weeks after the onset of ARDS may increase the risk of death. (NEJM April 20, 2006; Vol 354, No. 16, pp 1671-84)