Breathing in sleep: could inhaled gases save more COVID-19 ICU patients?
NCT ID NCT04415060
First seen Feb 18, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 18 times
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 ICUs who need a ventilator 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.
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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.
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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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
Montreal, Quebec, H2X 3E4, Canada
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Grey Nuns Community Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T6L 5X8, Canada
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Hôpital Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
Montreal, Quebec, H4J1C5, Canada
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Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec (IUCPQ)
Québec, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada
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London Health Sciences Centre - University Hospital
London, Ontario, N6A 5A5, Canada
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London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital
London, Ontario, Canada
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McGill University Health Centre - Royal Victoria Hospital
Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
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Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, M4N3M5, Canada
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The Ottawa Hospital
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Universite de Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1K 2R1, Canada
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University Health Network - Toronto General Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
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University Health Network - Toronto Western Hopsital
Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
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University of Alberta Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada
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 successful, 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 trial with 800 participants, and the benefits seen in smaller studies may not hold up. Inhaled anesthetics also require special equipment and monitoring.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.