Combining Therapy of Octreotide and Glucocorticoid in the Treatment of a Lung Adenocarcinoma Patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

A 63-year-old male who was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the right lower lobe presented with 1 week of fever, cough, and progressive dyspnea and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). After intubation, physical examination revealed copious, light bloody sputum and diffuse crackles and rales on lung auscultation. The patient was diagnosed as Stage IV adenocarcinoma, septic shock (lung infection), and acute respiratory distress syndrome. His oxygenation failed to improve despite sedation, restrictive fluid therapy, and methylprednisolone, antimicrobials therapy, protective ventilation, plasma supplement, and anticoagulation. Respiratory secretions suctioned from her endotracheal tube averaged 1.0 L daily. On day 2 after admission, octreotide was infused to control sputum volume. The patient's respiratory secretions decreased significantly, and on day 8, the ventilator mode was changed to pressure support ventilation, and the patient was extubated and dismissed from ICU.