Effect of a polymorphonuclear elastase inhibitor (sivelestat sodium) on acute lung injury after cardiopulmonary bypass: findings of a double-blind randomized study.
PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of sivelestat sodium (SiV), a novel synthesized polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase inhibitor, on acute lung injury (ALI) caused by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Fourteen patients who underwent cardiopulmonary surgery using CPB, followed by the development of both systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and ALI, were treated with either 0.2 mg/kg per hour SiV (SiV group, n = 7) or saline (control group, n = 7) for 4 days from the time of arrival in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: The SiV group had a significantly lower ratio of serum PMN elastase and interleukin (IL)-8, a significantly lower ratio of the respiratory index, and a significantly higher ratio of PaO(2)/FiO(2) after 24 h of treatment than the control group. CONCLUSION: Sivelestat sodium suppressed the production of PMN elastase and IL-8, resulting in improved respiratory function in patients with ALI caused by CPB.