Severe COVID-19 ARDS Treated by Bronchoalveolar Lavage with Diluted Exogenous Pulmonary Surfactant as Salvage Therapy: In Pursuit of the Holy Grail?

Background: Severe pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by inflammatory lung injury, progressive parenchymal stiffening and consolidation, alveolar and airway collapse, altered vascular permeability, diffuse alveolar damage, and surfactant deficiency. COVID-19 causes both pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (COVID-19 ARDS). COVID-19 ARDS is characterized by severe refractory hypoxemia and high mortality.