Effect of recombinant human growth hormone on mechanical ventilation in treatment of acute respiratory failure in elderly patients after thoracic and abdominal operation

Objective:To explore the effect and the ideal dose of recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) on mechanical ventilation in treatment of acute respiratory failure(ARF) in elderly patients after thoracic and abdominal operations.Methods:Forty-five elderly patients with ARF after thoracic and abdominal operation were randomly divided into 3 groups,15 cases for each group.Patients in group A were given rhGH 4IU once a day for 10 days by intramuscular injection.Patients in group B were given rhGH 4IU twice a day for 10 days by intramuscular injection.Patients in the control group were not given rhGH.Other treatments were the same in 3 groups.Time of mechanical ventilation,the success rate of withdrawing intubation at one time,the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP),average stay and mortality in ICU,the level of blood glucose and the dosage of insulin per day and at the 10th day were observed after treatments.Results:The time of mechanical ventilation and average stay in ICU were shorter significantly in group A and B(P0.05),and the success rate of one time withdrawing intubation,VAP and ICU mortality were also superior to those of control group(P0.05).There was no significant difference on the level of blood glucose which was higher than normal before treatment in 3 groups(P0.05),but the level of blood glucose was slightly elevated after treatment of rhGH,whereas group B shows statistical difference when compared with that of control group(P0.05).The dosage of insulin per day needed was much more than before the treatment of rhGH(P0.05),but it was in the controllable range.Conclusions:The rhGH with a dose of 4IU daily for 10 days is safe for the elderly patients with ARF after thoracic and abdominal operation,but the level of blood glucose monitoring and rational insulin therapy should be strengthened in order to prevent disturbance of glycometabolism.