Therapeutic effect of cisatracurium in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effect of cisatracurium, (a neuromuscular blocking agent) in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods: A total of 94 ARDS patients admitted to The Third People's Hospital of Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture ICU from March 2020 to December 2021 were randomly assigned to study and control groups (47 patients each). Both groups received mechanical ventilation, but the study group also received continuous intravenous cisatracurium for 48 h. Health parameters, such as blood gas levels, respiratory mechanics, duration of stay in intensive care unit ICU), mortality rate, and the occurrence of complications, were monitored at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Results: The study group showed significant improvements compared to control group. Study group also had reduced duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of ICU stay, ICU mortality rate, and incidence of complications (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in pre-treatment health parameters, but post-treatment, study group had significantly higher levels of blood gas levels and improved lung function (p < 0.05). Study group also had lower scores of illness severity and reduced total mortality rate at 3, 6, and 12 months (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Administering cisatracurium reduces mechanical ventilation, duration of ICU stay and mortality rate, as well as improves lung function in ARDS patients. Future research involving larger sample size, and takes into consideration regional/environmental differences, is required to validate these findings for reliability.