ROLE OF NEBULIZATION WITH HEPARIN IN MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH TRAUMATIC PULMONARY CONTUSION
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Keywords
Traumatic pulmonary contusion, Nebulized heparin, Blunt chest trauma, ICU stay, Recovery time, Pulmonary function
Abstract
Traumatic pulmonary contusion (PC) is a common complication of blunt chest trauma, responsible for significant morbidity and mortality due to alveolar-capillary injury, edema, and impaired gas exchange. Conventional management is primarily supportive and does not directly address the underlying inflammation and microvascular thrombosis. Nebulized heparin, with its anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and mucolytic properties, has shown potential benefits in various pulmonary conditions, including smoke inhalation injury, ARDS, and trauma-related lung injury.
This prospective randomized interventional study was conducted on 50 patients with traumatic pulmonary contusion, divided into two groups: the Interventional Group received standard nebulization therapy plus inhaled heparin (1000 IU every 6 hours), while the Control Group received standard nebulization drugs alone. Clinical, radiological, and functional outcomes were assessed over the study period.
Results demonstrated that while both groups showed comparable improvements in respiratory rate, FEV1/FVC ratio, and Pulmonary Contusion Scores, patients receiving nebulized heparin required significantly fewer days of oxygen support (6.5 ± 3.98 vs. 8.5 ± 3.77, p=0.0315), had shorter ICU stays (7.42 ± 5.24 vs. 10.39 ± 4.58 days, p=0.038), and faster overall recovery (15.3 ± 5.55 vs. 17.2 ± 5.13 days, p=0.0192). These findings suggest that nebulized heparin may serve as a valuable adjunct to standard supportive care in traumatic pulmonary contusion. However, larger randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate its efficacy and optimize dosing strategies.
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Sneha Kataria
PG Resident, Department of General Surgery, Subharti Medical College, Meerut
Dhanesh Kumar
Professor, Department of General Surgery, Subharti Medical College, Meerut
Sachin Agrawal
Professor, Department of Radio-diagnosis, Subharti Medical College, Meerut
Anshul Vishnoi
Associate Professor, Department of General Surgery, Subharti Medical College, Meerut