Scientists from SibMed and Tomsk NRMC learned how to treat post-COVID respiratory failure

08.12.2021

SibMed scientists together with colleagues from Tomsk NRMC have demonstrated that inhalation with the gas mixture based on xenon can be effectively used to treat respiratory failure in post- COVID lung damage. The research results were published in the EXCLI Journal.

COVID-19 patients often suffer from impaired ventilation of the lungs due to the inflammatory damage to the terminal parts at the alveolar-capillary barrier. This leads to respiratory failure and requires oxygen and even ventilation support.

Similar manifestations persist during rehabilitation, which, depending on the severity of lung damage in the acute period, can last up to six months or longer.

COVID-19 patients show various stress symptom complexes directly or indirectly associated with ventilation failure: depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and weakness, which impair the quality of life and social rehabilitation.

"Since short inhalations of the Xe/O2 gas mixture can be used to relieve acute and chronic stress disorders, we used this technology to rehabilitate patients after COVID-19," said Elena Udut, Head of the SibMed Central Research Laboratory and Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

According to her, these procedures significantly decreased the patients' symptoms of respiratory failure, respiration and heart rates, increased their lung capacity and arterial oxygen saturation. Computed tomography showed a significant reduction in the number of ground-glass opacities.

Scientists claim that such inhalations with Xe/O2 can be used as a new method of treatment for respiratory failure in post-viral lung complications.

"In order to introduce the technology into the COVID-19 treatment guidelines, it is necessary to conduct evidence-based experimental and clinical studies. They are now being conducted at SibMed as part of the Priority 2030 program and at Tomsk NRMC," commented Elena Udut.

According to the SibMed scientists, doctors can already use xenon to rehabilitate those who have recovered from COVID-19.