Role of heparin and N- acetylcystein in prevention of acute respiratory distress syndrome in suspected inhaltion injury in burn

Backgroud: This study was undertaken to identify the role of heparin and Nacetylcystein in prevention of acute respiratory distress syndrome in suspected inhaltion injury in burn Material and Method: One hundred patients were registered with inhalation lung injury in burn unit. Out of these hundred, fifty patients of inhalation injuries have been nebulised with heparin and n-acetylene cysteine (Group A) & fifty were control (Group B). An individual with inhalation injury has an injury consistent with inhalation of smoke or products of combustion between 30% 75% total burnt surface area. All the patients were clinically evaluated for haematological, sputum culture, pus culture, chest X-ray, blood gases, including carboxyhaemoglobin and acid/base balance, blood Urea, serum creatinine & Bronchoscopy. Results: There was no significant difference in age, sex and TBSA in between two groups. There was no significant difference was observed for the occurrence of lung injury in two groups however mortality rate was significantly lower in patients nebulized with heparin and n-acetylene cysteine as compared to control group.(P=0.002). Conclusion: These results support the previouslyreported benefits of NH-AC in patients with ALI/ARDS & Highlights the need to start NH-AC therapy as early as possible.