Could inhaled gas help ventilator patients beat pneumonia?

NCT ID NCT06950294

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether high doses of inhaled nitric oxide gas are safe and potentially helpful for critically ill pneumonia patients on breathing machines. About 34 adults will receive either the gas or a sham treatment for 5 days. Researchers will monitor blood oxygen levels and recovery rates over 60 days.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: inhaled nitric oxide gas
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new treatment to help critically ill pneumonia patients recover faster.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small pilot study with only 34 participants. It primarily measures safety (methemoglobin levels), not yet proven to improve outcomes. High-dose nitric oxide can cause methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Critical Illness pneumonia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CRITICAL ILLNESS PNEUMONIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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