Dexamethasone in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Synopsis: In patients with moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), defined as an arterial oxygen partial pressure/ fractional inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) of 200 mm Hg or less with a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 10 cm H2O or greater and FiO2 >0.5, administration of dexamethasone within 24 hours of ARDS onset led to more ventilator-free days, and a reduction of all-cause mortality with no difference in adverse events. Source: Villar, J, Ferrando, C, Martínez, D, et al. Dexamethasone treatment for the acute respiratory distress syndrome: a multicenter, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2020;8:267–276.