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Nebulized hypErtonic Saline for Better Prevention of mUcus pLug in Critical Adult Tracheostomized Patients

Nebulized hypErtonic Saline for Better Prevention of mUcus pLug in Critical Adult Tracheostomized Patients (the NEBULA Study). A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03870646
Acronym
NEBULA
Enrollment
164
Registered
2019-03-12
Start date
2019-04-01
Completion date
2020-12-31
Last updated
2019-03-12

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Critical Illness, Mechanical Ventilation Complication, Plug; Mucus, Tracheostomy Complication

Keywords

Critical Illness, Tracheostomy, Mechanical Ventilation, Complication, Plug, Mucus

Brief summary

Tracheostomy is an important tool in the management of respiratory failure in the critically ill patient under mechanical ventilation. Although mechanical ventilation can be a lifesaving intervention, it is also known to carry several side-effects and risks. Among the most frequent complications of mechanical ventilation, obstruction of the airway secondary to a mucus plug is both life threatening and a prevalent phenomenon related to mucociliary system dysfunction, artificial airway itself and the loss of strength that prevents adequate airway clearance. The main indication of tracheostomy is the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation that usually occurs in more severe patients, this circumstance having also been related to the development of intensive care unit (ICU) acquired weakness. Currently, the approach to secretion clearance in critical patients is focused on rehabilitation therapy and humidification. Hypertonic saline (HS) is largely used in cystic fibrosis to increase airways clearance while little evidence is available in other settings although promising results have been reported. In this sense, the use of HS could be beneficial in the prevention of airway obstruction in tracheostomized critical patients.

Interventions

COMBINATION_PRODUCTHypertonic saline of NaCl (7%) in combination with hyaluronic acid

Critical adult tracheostomized patients will receive, in the intervention arm, nebulized Hypertonic saline of NaCl (7%) in combination with hyaluronic acid 5ml twice daily for 10 days from the day of the tracheotomy or until decannulation or discharge from the ICU if it happens before. The treatment will be applied through a jet nebulizer located in the inspiratory branch in patients under mechanical ventilation and in the sole tubulant of patients under T-piece oxygen regimen. Salbutamol 100 micrograms / dose, suspension for inhalation in pressure pack: 2 inhalations through the tracheostomy cannula 10 minutes before the application of the nebulization with hypersaline in order to avoid bronchospasm.

COMBINATION_PRODUCTIsotonic saline of NaCl (0,9%)

Critical adult tracheostomized patients will receive, in the control arm, nebulized isotonic saline of NaCl (0,9%) 5ml twice daily for 10 days from the day of the tracheotomy or until decannulation or discharge from the ICU if it happens before. The treatment will be applied through a jet nebulizer located in the inspiratory branch in patients under mechanical ventilation and in the sole tubulant of patients under T-piece oxygen regimen. Salbutamol 100 micrograms / dose, suspension for inhalation in pressure pack: 2 inhalations through the tracheostomy cannula 10 minutes before the application of the nebulization with isotonic saline in order to avoid bronchospasm.

Sponsors

Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Masking description

Identical vials for the intervention and control group

Intervention model description

Unicentre, randomized, two arm, double-blind, controlled trial.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age \>= 18 years. * Respiratory support through tracheostomy performed during ICU stay. * Informed consent signed by the relatives or legal representative of the patient.

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnancy. * Any terminal disease. * Known hypersensitivity to any component of Hyaneb (Hypertonic saline of NaCl (7%) in combination with hyaluronic acid). * Participation in another research study. * Any other condition that, according to the investigator, may prevent a participant to complete all the procedures required.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of patients with mucus plug10 days from the day of the tracheotomy or until decannulation or discharge from the ICU if it happens before.Mucus plug will be considered when there is a deterioration of the respiratory support accompanied by at least one of the following: * An inability to pass the aspiration catheter through the orotracheal tube or the tracheostomy tube. * Sudden hypoxia with physical and / or radiological examination compatible with atelectasis. * Need for urgent bronchoscopy with direct vision of the mucous plug.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
ICU length of stayFrom date of ICU admission until the date of ICU discharge or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 monthNumber of days admitted to the ICU
Hospital length of stayFrom date of hospital admission until the date of hospital discharge or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 15 monthNumber of days admitted to the hospital
Length of mechanical ventilationFrom the start date of mechanical ventilation to the date of its withdrawal or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 monthsNumber of days under mechanical ventilation
Percentage of patients died during ICU stayFrom date of ICU admission until the date of ICU discharge or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 monthsPercentage of patients died during ICU stay
Percentage of patients died during hospital stayFrom date of hospital admission until the date of hospital discharge or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 15 monthPercentage of patients died during hospital stay

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026