Inhaled Sedation in Critically Ill Patients

Launched by INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIÓN HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO LA PAZ · May 24, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help patients who are critically ill and on a ventilator. Researchers want to see if inhaling a sedative called isoflurane, delivered through a special device, is better than receiving sedation through an IV with a medication called propofol. The main goal is to find out which method allows patients to spend more days off the ventilator within 28 days after starting the treatment.

To participate in this trial, patients must be adults who are on a ventilator and expected to need it for more than 48 hours. They should also require deep sedation, meaning they need to be very relaxed and unaware of their surroundings. However, there are some important reasons a patient might not be able to join, such as allergies to the sedatives, certain heart conditions, or being pregnant. If someone is eligible and decides to participate, they will receive one of the two types of sedation, and researchers will monitor their recovery during the trial. This study is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to improve care for critically ill patients in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • - Adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation, with an anticipated duration \>48 hours after randomization, and requiring deep sedation (target RASS between -3 and -5).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Contraindication to isoflurane or propofol
• • Allergy to isoflurane or propofol
• • Cardiopulmonary arrest
• • History of ventricular tachycardia or long QT syndrome
• • Tidal volume \< 300 mL or PaCO₂ \> 50 mmHg at the time of randomization.
• • Invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours at the time of randomization.
• • Pregnancy
• • Breast feeding
• • Acute neurological condition
• • ECMO
• • ECCO2R
• • Active humidification strictly required
• • Burns
• • Lack of informed consent