Effect of Recombinant Surfactant Protein C–Based Surfactant on the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) results from a deficiency of functional surfactant in the airways. These investigators carried out a multicenter study in which patients with ARDS were treated with a recombinant human surfactant protein C–based surfactant. No clinical benefits were noted. A multicenter study in which patients with ARDS were treated with a recombinant human surfactant protein C–based surfactant. Although exogenous surfactant is of proven benefit in the prevention and treatment of the respiratory distress syndrome in infants, 1 its value in treating patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has not been established. Whereas infants with an immature lung have a deficit in surfactant production, patients with ARDS have decreased surfactant production as well as biochemical alterations of endogenous surfactant that impair surface-tension–lowering properties and decreased surfactant function in distal airways. 2 Normally, pulmonary surfactant phospholipids, acting in concert with surfactant proteins A, B, and C, cause alveolar surface tension to reach very low values at end expiration, thus . . .