Effects of neuromuscular blockers on transpulmonary pressures in moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate whether neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) exert beneficial effects in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by reason of their action on respiratory mechanics, particularly transpulmonary pressures (P ).

Methods: A prospective randomised controlled study in patients with moderate to severe ARDS within 48 h of the onset of ARDS. All patients were monitored by means of an oesophageal catheter and followed up for 48 h.