Efficacy of Continuous Intrabronchial Liquid Micro-Ventilation in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries | Vol. 17, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 94–101

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJMAD/170894

Original Research Article

Title: Efficacy of Continuous Intrabronchial Liquid Micro-Ventilation in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Names of Authors: Jean-Luc Moreau¹, Claire T. Dupont¹, Robert C. Green²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris, France; ²Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, USA

Abstract: Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) presents a profound clinical challenge, often marked by refractory hypoxemia and ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). This prospective, randomized controlled trial evaluated the clinical utility of an advanced continuous intrabronchial liquid micro-ventilation (CILMV) system utilizing oxygenated perfluorocarbons, compared to conventional lung-protective mechanical ventilation. A cohort of 140 adult patients with severe ARDS (PaO2/FiO2 ratio <= 100 mmHg) was randomized 1:1 within 24 hours of meeting severity criteria. The primary clinical outcome was the number of ventilator-free days at day 28. Secondary endpoints included changes in driving pressure, plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), and 30-day all-cause mortality. Patients in the CILMV group experienced significantly more ventilator-free days compared to the control group (18.4 ± 3.2 days vs 13.1 ± 4.5 days, p < 0.001). The mean driving pressure dropped rapidly within 12 hours of initiating CILMV, shifting from 15.4 ± 2.1 cmH2O to 9.8 ± 1.4 cmH2O (p < 0.001), indicating improved lung compliance and lower risks of VILI. Furthermore, the systematic inflammatory response was significantly lower in the CILMV arm, with median IL-6 levels dropping by 54% by day 4 compared to a 22% drop in the control cohort (p = 0.003). Crucially, 30-day mortality was significantly lower in the CILMV arm (21.4% vs 35.7%, p = 0.04). Continuous intrabronchial liquid micro-ventilation improves oxygenation, dampens systemic inflammation, and lowers mortality in severe ARDS patients.

Keywords: ARDS, Liquid micro-ventilation, Perfluorocarbons, Mechanical ventilation, Driving pressure, Interleukin-6, Pulmonary compliance

Manuscript Timeline: Received: May 15, 2026; Revised: June 22, 2026; Accepted: July 10, 2026; Published: August 14, 2026

Citation: Moreau, J.-L., Dupont, C. T., & Green, R. C. (2026). Efficacy of Continuous Intrabronchial Liquid Micro-Ventilation in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries, 17(8), 94–101. doi:10.46882/2026/IJMAD/170894

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