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Influence of serum epidermal growth factor on mechanical ventilation and survival in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Pooneh Salari, Mojtaba Mojtahedzadeh and Mohammad Abdollahi

Background: The mortality rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome has remained high. Studies have shown that concentrations of some of the inflammatory mediators as well as some of the growth factors in serum and/or bronchoalveolar lavage are higher in nonsurvivors.
Objectives: According to our previous study, we hypothesised it is possible that the serum level of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in non-survived patients would be higher than that of survived patients.
Patients and methods: Data for thirty patients whom were diagnosed as acute respiratory distress syndrome and took mechanical ventilation were evaluated retrospectively. The blood samples had been taken before initiating mechanical ventilation, 2, 4, and 8 h after initiating mechanical ventilation.
Results: In survivors, 2 h after mechanical ventilation, serum EGF concentration reduced (p < 0.05). In survivors, the differences between PaO₂/FiO₂ and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score at the first and the end of the study was significant (p < 0.05). The serum EGF concentration increased after 8 h in nonsurvivors (p < 0.05). Significant changes in serum EGF concentrations in the non-survivors at different time periods in low positive end expiratory pressure group of patients (p < 0.05) were observed.
Conclusion: Serum levels of EGF on admission may provide valuable information for predicting the outcome of acute respiratory distress syndrome patients.