Effect of Nebulized Eucalyptus on Arterial Blood Gases and Physiologic Indexes of Mechanical Ventilated Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Arterial hypoxia is one of the most common findings in critically ill patients. Inhaled medications in ventilated patients can reduce airway resistance, facilitate dilution, and prevent airway infections. This study aimed to examine the effects of nebulized Eucalyptus (NE) on arterial blood gases (ABG) and physiologic indexes of patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods: The current randomized clinical trial was performed in three intensive care units (ICUs) of Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan, Iran. Using purposive sampling method, 70 intubated patients were selected and randomly divided into NE (n=35) and control (n=35) groups. NE group received 4 ml (5%) Eucalyptus in 6 mL normal saline (NS) every 8 hours since intubation to 3 days by a nebulizer. Control group received 10 mL NS in the same way. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and ABG parameters (pH, BE, HCO3, PCO2, SaO2, and PaO2), and the peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and tidal volume (TV) were equally assessed in both intervention and control groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 13.

Results: There was no significant difference between the patients of both groups in terms of vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate, and pulse rate), GCS, pH, BE, HCO3, PCO2, SaO2, PaO2, PIP, and TV before the study. Amongst the parameters of ABG, there was a significant difference between PaO2 and SaO2 and PIP in the intervention and control groups 3 days after intervention.

Conclusion: Inhaled Eucalyptus can improve oxygenation and reduce airway pressure in patients undergoing MV.