This study focuses on patients who are at risk of developing a serious, life-threatening
respiratory disease called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which severely
disrupts the function of their lungs.
Preclinical studies have shown that the use of a volatile anesthetic agent such as
Sevoflurane could be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of this respiratory
condition. By improving gas exchange and attenuating pulmonary inflammation in particular,
this agent would make it possible to prevent deterioration or to restore pulmonary function
more rapidly.
Half of the patients will receive inhaled sedation with sevoflurane and the other half will
receive intravenous sedation already routinely used in participating ICUs (typically
propofol, dexmedetomidine or a benzodiazepine, i.e. drugs approved for sedation).
The aim of this study is to assess whether the use of Sevoflurane could be beneficial in the
prevention of ARDS.