Use of exogenous pulmonary surfactant in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): Role in SARS-CoV-2-related lung injury

Several pre-clinical and clinical trials show that exogenous pulmonary surfactant has clinical efficacy in inflammatory lung diseases, especially ARDS. By infecting type II alveolar cells, COVID-19 interferes with the production and secretion of the pulmonary surfactant and therefore causes an increase in surface tension, which in turn can lead to alveolar collapse. The use of the pulmonary surfactant seems to be promising as an additional therapy for the treatment of ARDS. COVID-19 causes lung damage and ARDS, so beneficial effects of surfactant therapy in COVID-19-associated ARDS patients are conceivable, especially when applied early in the treatment strategy against pulmonary failure. Because of the robust anti-inflammatory and lung protective efficacy and the current urgent need for lung-supportive therapy, the exogenous pulmonary surfactant could be a valid supportive treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia patients in intensive care units in addition to the current standard of ARDS treatment