Patients with COVID-19 report severe respiratory symptoms consistent with ARDS. The clinical presentation of ARDS in COVID-19 is often atypical, as patients with COVID-19 exhibit a disproportionate hypoxemia compared with relatively preserved lung mechanics. This pattern is more similar to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome secondary to surfactant deficiency, which has been shown to benefit from exogenous surfactant. We present our experience with exogenous surfactant treatment in a patient with COVID-19 experiencing COVID-19-related ARDS. The patient responded with improved oxygenation, and we believe surfactant was the catalyst for the successful extubation and clinical improvement of the patient.
Surfactant for the Treatment of ARDS in a Patient With COVID-19