Respiratory Distress SyndromeNCT07286409
Nebulized Furosemide, Heparin, Hypertonic Saline in Mechanically Ventilated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Adult Patients
A study testing nebulization in people with Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Mechanical Ventilation Complication, run by Tanta University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
There are no specific drugs or therapies available to directly treat/prevent ARDS. Mechanical ventilation with an aim to minimize Ventilator Induced Lung Injury (VILI) and management of refractory hypoxemia are the keystones in supportive management of ARDS. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Mechanical Ventilation Complication
- What is being tested?
- nebulization
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 344 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- Jan 2026to Jan 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult patients (≥18 years)
- ICU admission, mechanical ventilation for < 7 days
- ARDS diagnosed within 24 hours per the Berlin Definition, which includes Chest x-ray showing bilateral opacities, not fully explained by effusions, lung collapse; Respiratory failure not fully explained by cardiac failure or fluid overload, and exclusion of hydrostatic edema (by echocardiography);
- Oxygenation and ventilator settings matching one of the three categories of ARDS: Mild: 200 mmHg < PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 300 mmHg with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ≥ 5 cm H2O. Moderate: 100 mm Hg < PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 200 mm Hg with PEEP ≥ 5 cm H2O. Severe: PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 100 mm Hg with PEEP ≥ 5 cm H2O.
Who cannot join
- 1- Pregnant Patient. 2- Refusal to participate in the trial by the patient's guardian. 3- Known allergy to furosemide or heparin. 4- Active major bleeding, recent intracranial hemorrhage 5- End-stage renal disease 6- Severe chronic liver disease. 7- Uncontrolled shock (e.g., high vasopressor doses). 8- Advanced directives limiting care (e.g., do-not-resuscitate orders), which could affect mortality outcomes.
- 9- Body Mass Index (BMI) > 40 or severe obesity, which can severely impact lung mechanics and confound results.
- 10- Electrolyte imbalance
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
sameh Ahmed contact
About this study
Official title: Nebulized Furosemide, Heparin, Hypertonic Saline in Mechanically Ventilated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Adult Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
There are no specific drugs or therapies available to directly treat/prevent ARDS. Mechanical ventilation with an aim to minimize Ventilator Induced Lung Injury (VILI) and management of refractory hypoxemia are the keystones in supportive management of ARDS.
Read the detailed description
Furosemide: Nebulized furosemide has been studied as a potential treatment option for ARDS patients due to its diuretic properties and potential to reduce pulmonary edema. Research on the effectiveness of furosemide nebulization in ARDS patients could provide valuable insights into its potential role in managing respiratory distress and improving outcomes. Furosemide may reduce pulmonary edema via diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Heparin: Nebulized heparin has been proposed as a treatment for ARDS patients due to its anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects. By investigating the effectiveness of heparin nebulization in reducing pulmonary inflammation and improving oxygenation in ARDS patients, clinicians can gain a better understanding of its therapeutic potential in this critical condition. - ARDS involves fibrin deposition in alveoli, worsening compliance. Heparin may reduce microthrombosis and inflammation (anti-TNF-α effects).
Hypertonic saline: Nebulized hypertonic saline has been suggested as a potential therapy for ARDS patients due to its ability to reduce airway inflammation and improve mucociliary clearance. Examining the effectiveness of hypertonic saline nebulization in ARDS patients could offer valuable insights into its impact on respiratory function and recovery in this challenging patient population. Hypertonic saline may improve mucus clearance and alveolar fluid absorption.
- Being tested
- nebulization
- Medical subject headings
- Respiratory Distress Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
nebulizationDrug
Study solutions will be administered via a vibrating mesh nebulizer (Aerogen® Pro, Aerogen Ltd, Ireland) placed at the Y-piece of the ventilator circuit, proximal to the patient. The nebulizer will be used with its specific T-piece adapter. The nebulizer will be placed at the Y-piece (proximal to the patient), between the endotracheal tube and the circuit. To optimize aerosol delivery, a standardized nebulization protocol will be followed. For the 30-minute duration of each treatment, the ventilator will be set to Volume Control or Assist-Control mode with a constant inspiratory flow of 40-50 L/min, an inspiratory-to-expiratory ratio of 1:3, and an end-inspiratory pause of 0.5 seconds. The heated humidifier will be turned off 15 minutes before and bypassed during the nebulization period. Immediately after the 30-minute nebulization is complete, the humidification chamber will be reconnected, and the heated humidifier will be turned back on.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| frusemide | Active comparator | The furosemide group will receive 40 mg furosemide in 4 ml of 0.9% saline, administered /6 hours for 7 days Receives: Drug: nebulization |
| heparin | Active comparator | The heparin group will receive inhaled unfractionated heparin at a dose of 10,000 in 4 ml of 0.9% saline IU/6 h daily for 7 days via ventilator circuit. Receives: Drug: nebulization |
| hypertonic saline | Active comparator | This group will receive inhaled hypertonic saline 3% in a dose of 4ml /6 h daily for 7 days. Receives: Drug: nebulization |
| control | Placebo comparator | This group will receive inhaled normal saline 0.9 % in a dose of 4ml /6 h daily for 7 days. Receives: Drug: nebulization |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Murray Lung Injury Score
Murray lung injury score will be calculated daily in the morning (8:00 am) based on information obtained from:
- Number of quadrants of infiltrations from chest X-ray.
- Hypoxic index.
- Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP (cmH2O)) required on the ventilator to get better oxygenation.
- Static compliance will be calculated daily in the morning (8:00 am) based on information obtained from:
- Number of quadrants of infiltrations from chest X-ray. b) Hypoxic index. c) Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP (cmH2O)) required on the ventilator to get better oxygenation.
- Static compliance
Measured: in the morning of 7 days of mechanical ventillation
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Dec 2025
- Study startJan 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionJan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Respiratory Distress SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Tanta UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 344 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Tanta University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, tarek abdel hay mostafa, Tanta University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07286409
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- nebulized drugs in ARDS
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 2 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 16 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Nebulized Furosemide, Heparin, Hypertonic Saline in Mechanically Ventilated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Adult Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07286409
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- nebulized drugs in ARDS
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 344 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Tanta UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
There are no specific drugs or therapies available to directly treat/prevent ARDS. Mechanical ventilation with an aim to minimize Ventilator Induced Lung Injury (VILI) and management of refractory hypoxemia are the keystones in supportive management of ARDS.
Detailed description
Furosemide: Nebulized furosemide has been studied as a potential treatment option for ARDS patients due to its diuretic properties and potential to reduce pulmonary edema. Research on the effectiveness of furosemide nebulization in ARDS patients could provide valuable insights into its potential role in managing respiratory distress and improving outcomes. Furosemide may reduce pulmonary edema via diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Heparin: Nebulized heparin has been proposed as a treatment for ARDS patients due to its anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects. By investigating the effectiveness of heparin nebulization in reducing pulmonary inflammation and improving oxygenation in ARDS patients, clinicians can gain a better understanding of its therapeutic potential in this critical condition. - ARDS involves fibrin deposition in alveoli, worsening compliance. Heparin may reduce microthrombosis and inflammation (anti-TNF-α effects).
Hypertonic saline: Nebulized hypertonic saline has been suggested as a potential therapy for ARDS patients due to its ability to reduce airway inflammation and improve mucociliary clearance. Examining the effectiveness of hypertonic saline nebulization in ARDS patients could offer valuable insights into its impact on respiratory function and recovery in this challenging patient population. Hypertonic saline may improve mucus clearance and alveolar fluid absorption.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| frusemide | Active comparator | Drug: nebulizationThe furosemide group will receive 40 mg furosemide in 4 ml of 0.9% saline, administered /6 hours for 7 days |
| heparin | Active comparator | Drug: nebulizationThe heparin group will receive inhaled unfractionated heparin at a dose of 10,000 in 4 ml of 0.9% saline IU/6 h daily for 7 days via ventilator circuit. |
| hypertonic saline | Active comparator | Drug: nebulizationThis group will receive inhaled hypertonic saline 3% in a dose of 4ml /6 h daily for 7 days. |
| control | Placebo comparator | Drug: nebulizationThis group will receive inhaled normal saline 0.9 % in a dose of 4ml /6 h daily for 7 days. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Adult patients (≥18 years)
- ICU admission, mechanical ventilation for < 7 days
- ARDS diagnosed within 24 hours per the Berlin Definition, which includes Chest x-ray showing bilateral opacities, not fully explained by effusions, lung collapse; Respiratory failure not fully explained by cardiac failure or fluid overload, and exclusion of hydrostatic edema (by echocardiography);
- Oxygenation and ventilator settings matching one of the three categories of ARDS: Mild: 200 mmHg < PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 300 mmHg with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ≥ 5 cm H2O. Moderate: 100 mm Hg < PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 200 mm Hg with PEEP ≥ 5 cm H2O. Severe: PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 100 mm Hg with PEEP ≥ 5 cm H2O.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 1- Pregnant Patient. 2- Refusal to participate in the trial by the patient's guardian. 3- Known allergy to furosemide or heparin. 4- Active major bleeding, recent intracranial hemorrhage 5- End-stage renal disease 6- Severe chronic liver disease. 7- Uncontrolled shock (e.g., high vasopressor doses). 8- Advanced directives limiting care (e.g., do-not-resuscitate orders), which could affect mortality outcomes.
- 9- Body Mass Index (BMI) > 40 or severe obesity, which can severely impact lung mechanics and confound results.
- 10- Electrolyte imbalance
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| nebulizationStudy solutions will be administered via a vibrating mesh nebulizer (Aerogen® Pro, Aerogen Ltd, Ireland) placed at the Y-piece of the ventilator circuit, proximal to the patient. The nebulizer will be used with its specific T-piece adapter. The nebulizer will be placed at the Y-piece (proximal to the patient), between the endotracheal tube and the circuit. To optimize aerosol delivery, a standardized nebulization protocol will be followed. For the 30-minute duration of each treatment, the ventilator will be set to Volume Control or Assist-Control mode with a constant inspiratory flow of 40-50 L/min, an inspiratory-to-expiratory ratio of 1:3, and an end-inspiratory pause of 0.5 seconds. The heated humidifier will be turned off 15 minutes before and bypassed during the nebulization period. Immediately after the 30-minute nebulization is complete, the humidification chamber will be reconnected, and the heated humidifier will be turned back on. | Drug | control, frusemide, heparin, hypertonic saline |
Primary outcome
Murray Lung Injury Score
Time frame: in the morning of 7 days of mechanical ventillation
Murray lung injury score will be calculated daily in the morning (8:00 am) based on information obtained from: 1. Number of quadrants of infiltrations from chest X-ray. 2. Hypoxic index. 3. Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP (cmH2O)) required on the ventilator to get better oxygenation. 4. Static compliance will be calculated daily in the morning (8:00 am) based on information obtained from: a) Number of quadrants of infiltrations from chest X-ray. b) Hypoxic index. c) Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP (cmH2O)) required on the ventilator to get better oxygenation. d) Static compliance
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
sameh Ahmed contact
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing nebulization in people with Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Mechanical Ventilation Complication, run by Tanta University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact tarek AH Mostafa (01003591332, dr.tarek311@yahoo.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Murray Lung Injury Score (time frame: in the morning of 7 days of mechanical ventillation). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Dec 2025.