Role of Ascorbic Acid Infusion in Critically Ill Patients With Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury

Plain-language summary

TRALI was defined as "acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema typically occurs ≤ 6 hours following transfusion of plasma-containing blood products, such as packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, or cryoprecipitate." In critically ill patients, TRALI remains the leading cause of transfusion-related fatalities and is accompanied by a very significant morbidity and mortality. Survival in such patients is as low as 53% compared with 83% in acute lung injury (ALI) controls. The incidence of TRALi is likely underreported. In densely populated developing countries, incidence has not decreased due to lack of male-only strategy for plasma donation. TRALI is associated with systemic inflammation characterized by low anti-inflammatory cytokine as interleukin (IL)-10, increased pro-inflammatory cytokine as IL-8. Regulation of inflammation should include avoidance of overproduction of inflammatory mediators. So, it can be dampened not only by increasing IL-10 but also by decreasing IL-1β release. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein which is up-regulated during infections and inflammation. CRP was recently identified as a novel first hit in TRALI. Till now, there is no established treatment for TRALI beyond supportive care and monitoring. Recently, potential therapies have been reviewed, and it was concluded that the most promising therapeutic strategies are IL-10 therapy, downregulation of CRP levels, targeting reactive oxygen species (ROS) or blocking IL-8 receptors. So, antioxidants (such as high dose vitamins), were recommended for future studies as potentially effective treatment. Vitamin C hypovitaminosis is observed in 70% of critically ill despite receiving recommended daily doses. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of intravenous vitamin C (ascorbic acid) as a targeted therapy for transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) in critically ill patients in terms of IL-8, IL-10, CRP, SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA), vasopressor use, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, 7-days mortality and 28-days mortality.

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