Can a common anesthetic help ARDS patients breathe easier?

NCT ID NCT04235608

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether using sevoflurane (an inhaled anesthetic) for sedation could lower death rates and shorten time on a ventilator in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 700 adults were randomly assigned to receive either sevoflurane or standard propofol sedation. The goal was to see if sevoflurane improves outcomes like days alive and off the ventilator.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

sevoflurane (inhaled anesthetic)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a better sedation method for ARDS patients, potentially reducing time on a ventilator and improving survival.

What could go wrong

This is a completed Phase 3 trial, but results are not yet widely known. The benefit may be small or not apply to all ARDS patients. Inhaled sedation also requires special equipment.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute respiratory distress syndrome adult acute respiratory distress syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Carémeaux Hospital - University Hospita

    Nîmes, France

  • Cavale Blanche Hospital - University Hospital

    Brest, France

  • Diaconesses - La Croix Simon Hospital

    Paris, France

  • Hautepierre Hospital, University Hospitals

    Strasbourg, France

  • Hospital

    Béthune, France

  • Hospital

    Cannes, France

  • Hospital

    Dunkirk, France

  • Hospital

    Melun, 77000, France

  • Hospital

    Saint-Brieuc, France

  • Hospital

    Saintes, France

  • Hospital Belfort

    Belfort, France

  • Hospital Chartres

    Chartres, France

  • Hospital Martigues

    Martigues, France

  • Hospital Saint-Nazaire

    Saint-Nazaire, France

  • Hospital Valenciennes

    Valenciennes, France

  • Hotel Dieu Hospital - University Hospital

    Nantes, France

  • Jean Perrin Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Clermont-Ferrand, France

  • Lapeyronie Hospital - University Hospital

    Montpellier, France

  • Pasteur 2 Hospital - University Hospital

    Nice, France

  • Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, - Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux

    Paris, France

  • Saint-Antoine University Hospital - Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux

    Paris, France

  • Saint-Eloi Hospital - University Hospital

    Montpellier, France

  • Saint-Louis University Hospital - Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux

    Paris, France

  • Salengro Hospital - University Hospital

    Lille, France

  • Timone Hospital - Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux

    Marseille, France

  • University Hospital

    Amiens, France

  • University Hospital

    Angers, France

  • University Hospital

    Clermont-Ferrand, France

  • University Hospital

    Dijon, France

  • University Hospital

    Poitiers, France

  • University Hospital

    Reims, France

  • University Hospital

    Rennes, France

  • University Hospital,

    Clermont-Ferrand, 63011, France