Could a common blood thinner help ventilated COVID-19 patients breathe on their own?
NCT ID NCT04545541
First seen Nov 05, 2025 · Last updated Jun 20, 2026 · Updated 35 times
Summary
This trial tested whether inhaling heparin, a common blood thinner, could help COVID-19 patients who need a breathing machine (ventilator) recover faster. Researchers combined data from several small studies in Australia, Ireland, the US, and the UK involving 57 patients. The goal was to see if the treatment increased the number of days patients were alive and off the ventilator.
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the original study
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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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Frederick Health Hospital
Frederick, Maryland, 21701, United States
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
nebulised heparin (a blood thinner given as a mist into the lungs)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a simple, widely available treatment to help COVID-19 patients on ventilators recover faster and reduce deaths.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage analysis of several small studies (57 patients total). The results may not be strong enough to change practice, and heparin can increase bleeding risk.
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.