Could inhaled gases help COVID-19 patients breathe easier and survive?

NCT ID NCT04415060

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether giving inhaled anesthetics (isoflurane or sevoflurane) to sedate COVID-19 patients on ventilators can improve survival and reduce time on the breathing machine compared to standard IV sedatives. About 800 adults in the ICU with lung failure will be randomly assigned to receive either inhaled or IV sedation. The goal is to see if the inhaled approach leads to better outcomes and eases pressure on limited drug supplies.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Isoflurane or Sevoflurane (inhaled anesthetics)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a widely available alternative to IV sedatives, potentially improving survival and freeing up ventilators faster.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage phase 3 trial with 800 participants, and results may not show a clear benefit. Inhaled anesthetics can have side effects like low blood pressure or breathing issues.

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.

COVID-19 respiratory failure

As listed by the trial registrant

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

COVID19 HYPOXIC RESPIRATORY FAILURE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal

Montreal, Quebec, H2X 3E4, Canada
Grey Nuns Community Hospital

Edmonton, Alberta, T6L 5X8, Canada
Hôpital Sacré-Coeur de Montréal

Montreal, Quebec, H4J1C5, Canada
Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec (IUCPQ)

Québec, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada
London Health Sciences Centre - University Hospital

London, Ontario, N6A 5A5, Canada
London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital

London, Ontario, Canada
McGill University Health Centre - Royal Victoria Hospital

Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Toronto, Ontario, M4N3M5, Canada
The Ottawa Hospital

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Universite de Sherbrooke

Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1K 2R1, Canada
University Health Network - Toronto General Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
University Health Network - Toronto Western Hopsital

Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
University of Alberta Hospital

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada

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