ACUTE respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a potentially fatal condition involving lung damage, and experts often associate it with severe Covid-19.
There is a link between high mortality rates and Covid-19-induced ARDS, which is why there is an urgent need for effective treatments.
An uncontrolled, excessive immune response to the rapid SARS-CoV-2 replication is implicated in the development of ARDS.
A new study suggests that metoprolol, a beta-blocker approved for the treatment of hypertension, can reduce lung inflammation and improve clinical outcomes in patients with Covid-19-associated ARDS.
Approximately 14–33%Trusted Source of individuals with a SARS-CoV-2 infection develop severe illness, and about two-thirds of those with severe illness develop ARDS.
ARDS involves injury to the lung tissue due to inflammation and the accumulation of fluid in the alveoli, the air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of gases occurs with blood vessels.
The accumulation of fluids in the alveoli due to leaking blood vessels limits the lungs’ ability to supply oxygen to the rest of the body.
ARDS thus requires admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and invasive mechanical ventilation to compensate for limited lung function.
Stay informed with live updates on the current Covid-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.
ARDS is a major cause of fatality in Covid-19, and there is a lack of effective treatments for severe COVID-19-associated ARDS.
A recent study, which appears in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, reports that metoprolol can reduce lung inflammation and improve respiratory function in people with Covid-19-induced ARDS.
Metoprolol is a common beta-blocker designed to treat high blood pressure, and it may provide an inexpensive treatment for severe Covid-19.
The infection by SARS-CoV-2 activates an immune response that aims to block the progression of the disease.
However, in some cases of severe Covid-19, uncontrolled and excessive activation of the immune system can occur in response to the rapidly replicating virus, causing ARDS and other complications, such as organ failure.
