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Critical CareClassic Trial Must Read⚡ High-Yield Board Topic

Early Neuromuscular Blockade in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ROSE)

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute PETAL Clinical Trials Network·New England Journal of Medicine·2019· DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1901686
ARDSNeuromuscular BlockadeCisatracuriumSedationROSE
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Background

ACURASYS (2010) suggested NMBAs improved mortality in severe ARDS. However, the control arm used deep sedation. ROSE was designed to compare NMBAs vs. light sedation (the current standard).

Study Design

Multicenter RCT (48 US centers, n=1,006) comparing cisatracurium for 48 hours + deep sedation vs. light sedation alone in moderate-to-severe ARDS (P/F <150).

Key Findings

No difference in 90-day in-hospital mortality (42.5% vs 42.8%, p=0.93). No difference in ventilator-free days, ICU-free days, or adverse events.

Clinical Bottom Line

Routine early NMBAs do NOT improve outcomes in ARDS when compared to light sedation. NMBAs should be reserved for specific indications: severe patient-ventilator dyssynchrony, refractory hypoxemia, or prone positioning facilitation.

Limitations & Caveats

Stopped early for futility. Higher-than-expected crossover in the light sedation arm.

Faculty Notes— Dr. Andrew

Know ACURASYS vs ROSE together. ROSE is the definitive trial. NMBAs = not routinely recommended. Light sedation is now standard.

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