Effectiveness of Routine Nebulization of Mucolytics and Bronchodilators in Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Patients'

Detailed Description clinical trials.gov:

Design: This will be an investigator-initiated, multi-center, randomized, controlled, parallel two group, non-inferiority trial in intubated and ventilated adult ICU patients. A total of 950 patients in at least six participating centers will be included. Consecutive intubated and ventilated adult intensive care patients with an anticipated ventilation duration of minimal 24 hours will be recruited at ICU admission and onset of ventilation.

Methods: Patients will be randomized to receive either: 'routine nebulisation', i.e. nebulisation of mucolytics and bronchodilators, administered every 6 hours (i.e., 4 times per day) for the complete duration of ventilation, or 'nebulisation on strict clinical indications only', i.e. nebulisation of mucolytics in case of occurrence of persistent thick and tenacious sputum, and only after active humidification is set. Nebulisation of bronchodilators in case of occurrence of bronchospasm and only when signs and symptoms of bronchospasm (wheezing, increased airway pressures, increasing airway resistance, up sloping curve of de end tidal CO2 monitoring) are confirmed. The decision to start nebulisation should be evaluated daily. In case the clinical indication no longer exists, the therapy should be stopped.

Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of both nebulisation strategies within 24 hours after ICU admission and intubation, and only if informed consent is signed by the patient or the patient's legal representative. Randomization will be performed using a dedicated, password protected, SSL-encrypted website. Randomization sequence is generated by a dedicated computer randomization software program using random block sizes and is stratified per center. Due to the nature of the intervention blinding of the caregivers is not possible. Data analysis will be performed blinded for the type of intervention.

Standard care: standard care is provided following local guidelines of the participating centers. Recommendations made for mechanical ventilation: Attending physicians are advised to use lung-protective ventilation strategies, including the use of lower tidal volumes (≤ 6 mL/kg predicted body weight) and/or lower airway pressures (≤ 30 cmH2O). Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and inspired oxygen (FiO2) are titrated on partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), preferably using a PEEP/ FiO2-table. If spontaneous ventilation is well tolerated it is used from then till the end of ventilation. Thereafter, weaning from ventilation is performed by stepwise lowering of pressure-support level. Daily assessment of the patient's readiness to wean will be performed.