Neuromuscular Blockade in Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Although current clinical practice guidelines have discordant conclusions, a judicious approach to using NMBA infusions may include reserving their use for patients with early severe ARDS who are already deeply sedated and for patients under light sedation who have significant ventilator dyssynchrony, despite attempts to adjust both ventilator settings and sedation requirements. Based on current evidence, the duration of NMBA use should be limited to 48 hours, whenever possible.

Keywords: Acute lung injury; Adult respiratory distress syndrome; Invasive mechanical ventilation; Lung protective ventilation: paralysis; Mechanical ventilation; Neuromuscular blockade; Patent ventilator asynchrony.