Prolonged Methylprednisolone Therapy in the Fibro-Proliferative Phase of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Creative Commons License

KOCAKAYA D., Yildizeli S. O., Ataizi-Celikel C., CEYHAN B.

CUREUS, cilt.13, sa.11, 2021 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 13 Sayı: 11
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.7759/cureus.19906
  • Dergi Adı: CUREUS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: prolonged methylprednisolone therapy, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory distress syndrome, methylprednisolone, pulmonary fibrosis, ARDS, CORTICOSTEROIDS, MECHANISMS, OUTCOMES
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Late-stage acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), primarily associated with fibro-proliferative changes, may occur in many patients. This stage, where ARDS progresses to the point of being incurable, involves a complicated and long clinical course that may give rise to functional loss; it has therefore been a major focus of both preventive and therapeutic strategies. In the present case report, the successful use of prolonged methylprednisolone therapy in the fibre-proliferative phase of ARDS is described in a patient who developed pneumonia and secondary ARDS after terminating a pregnancy due to preeclampsia. Methylprednisolone therapy, which was initiated at a daily dosage of 1mg/kg, was tapered down based on the clinical and radiologic status of the patient and was terminated at the end of the sixth month. Follow-up imaging studies and pulmonary function tests performed at the end of the first and sixth months showed marked improvements and the patient experienced no systemic adverse effects despite long-term steroid therapy.