ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of verapamil-procaine compound (V-P) on prevention and treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) subsequent to high risk operation. METHODS: Altogether 150 cases of major operations with high risk of ARDS were enrolled for study. They were randomly divided into three groups. V-P group: 5% glucose 500 ml and procaine 1 250 mg and verapamil 10 mg; procaine group: 5% glucose 500 ml and procaine 1 250 mg; control group: only glucose was given. The injection speed of the three groups were the same, and it was kept at 0.5 ml x h(-1) x kg(-1). The dosages of verapamil and procaine in V-P group and procaine group were doubled when the diagnosis of acute lung injury (ALI) or ARDS was confirmed. UT4000F was used in monitoring (non-invasive) blood pressure (BP), electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), respiratory rate, and temperature. Blood routine and arterial blood gases measurements were intermittently performed. Diagnosis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), ALI and ARDS was made respectively according to published diagnostic criteria. SIRS score and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) score were performed. RESULTS: Eleven cases in V-P group, 26 in procaine group, and 42 in control group manifested symptoms and signs of SIRS. There were notable differences among groups (all P<0.01). Four patients in V-P group, 7 in procaine group, and 19 in control group were shown to develop ALI. Significant difference was found between control and V-P or procaine group (both P<0.01), but no significant difference was found between procaine group and V-P group. Twelve cases were complicated with ARDS in control group 2 weeks after the operation, and among them 5 died of multiple organ failure. There was significant difference between control group and V-P group or procaine group (both P<0.01). Two patients were complicated with acute renal failure in V-P group, 2 in procaine group, and 5 in control group. CONCLUSION: The V-P can interrupt SIRS to develop ALI, then ARDS and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS), and thus prevents and cures ARDS.
