The Effects of Neuromuscular-Blocking Agents on Gas Exchange in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

In Brief The use of neuromuscular-blocking agents (NMBA) in ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is controversial and largely empiric. Few trials looked at their effectiveness on gas exchange or in improving lung mechanics in patients with ARDS. Only one randomized, controlled trial compared the effects of NMBA on gas exchange in patients with ARDS receiving NMBA as compared with patients receiving placebo throughout a period of 48 hours. In this trial, the early use of NMBA in patients with ARDS was associated with a sustained improvement in oxygenation. The muscular paralysis induced by NMBA could reduce the consumption of oxygen linked to the work of breathing. Muscular paralysis could facilitate mechanical ventilation by preventing spontaneous breaths responsible for the dys-synchrony and worsening of gas exchange. Muscular paralysis could increase compliance of the thoracic wall and improve mechanical ventilation during ARDS. However, these hypotheses are controversial. Finally, preliminary data show that the muscular paralysis could provide better adaptation to mechanical ventilation and better satisfaction with the protective criteria for reduction of ventilator-associated lung injuries by homogenizing the distribution of tidal volume and positive end expiratory pressure. The role of new NMBA (benzylisoquinolines) in the occurrence of critical illness neuromyopathy is largely questioned in the recent literature. It is important to design new studies to explain the mechanisms of the improvement in oxygenation associated with NMBA and to evaluate whether the use of NMBA modifies the outcome of patients with ARDS. The administration of neuromuscular-blocking agents (NMBA) in the early phase of acute respiratory distress syndrome is associated with a sustained improvement in oxygenation. Preliminary study shows that NMBA could reinforce the beneficial effects of lung-protective ventilation.