Effects of inhalation of corticosteroids immediately after experimental chlorine gas lung injury.
BACKGROUND
To assess the effects of treatment with nebulized corticosteroids immediately after chlorine gas injury.


METHODS
Eighteen anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs were exposed to chlorine gas (140 ppm for 10 minutes) and observed for 6 hours. Nine pigs were treated with nebulized beclomethasone-dipropionate 20 microg/kg (BDP group), and nine pigs were given no treatment (control group).


RESULTS
All animals developed severe pulmonary dysfunction. The initial decrease in PaO2 was similar in both groups, but BDP-treated animals improved whereas control animals deteriorated (p < 0.005; analysis of variance). Pulmonary vascular resistance increased in both groups but less in the BDP group (p < 0.01). Lung-thorax compliance was better preserved in the BDP group (p < 0.01), and oxygen delivery was significantly better in the BDP group (p < 0.01). One animal died in the BDP group, as did three animals in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Immediate treatment with nebulized BDP improved pulmonary and cardiovascular function after experimental chlorine gas injury.
Gunnarsson
M
M
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Walther
S M
SM
Seidal
T
T
Lennquist
S
S
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D002713:Chlorine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005740:Gases / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000187:drug effects; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013552:Swine; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D000336:Aerosols; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005740:Gases; D002713:Chlorine; D001507:Beclomethasone