Investigation of the effect of NAC on the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit

Background and Objectives: N-acetylcysteine is an antioxidant derived from the amino acid cysteine and is one of the drugs used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine on the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial. Patients under mechanical ventilation admitted to the intensive care unit were examined. Patients in the intervention group received 150 mg/kg of NAC drug internally. Intravenously received on the first day of hospitalization and then 50 mg/kg on the first to fourth days. Patients in the control group will receive routine care. The vital signs, level of consciousness of patients, and another important variable were recorded. Data were analyzed using statistical tests and SPSS software version 24. Results: There was no significant difference between MAP, heart rate, respiratory rate, O2Sat, APACHE II score and pulmonary capacity of patients in the two groups on the first, second, third and fourth days after the intervention (P>0.05 ). There was no significant difference between level of consciousness (according to GCS criteria), respiratory index (PAO2/FIO2) and PEEP of patients in the two study groups within 1 to 2 days after the intervention (P>0.05). There was a significant difference between level of consciousness (based on GCS criteria), respiratory index (PAO2/FIO2) and PEEP of patients in the two study groups within 3 to 4 days after the intervention (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the duration of hospitalization in the ICU, the time required for mechanical ventilation and the mortality rate of patients in the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: It seems that N-acetylcysteine has a positive effect on the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the intensive care unit.