Surfactant Levels in the Lungs of COVID-19 Patients

NAME of STUDY: Surfactant levels in the lungs of COVID-19 patients BACKGROUND * Infection with SARS-CoV-2 may induce respiratory failure. * COVID-19 associated respiratory failure may require ventilatory support. * SARS-CoV-2 uses alveolar type II cells for virus replication. * Alveolar type II cells are responsible for surfactant production and lack of surfactant causes respiratory failure in preterm neonates. * Lack of surfactant may play role for respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients DESIGN Exploratory prospective study design without therapeutic intervention of any kind. Lung fluid will be donated as part of standard care procedures. HYPOTHESIS Surfactant is measurable in tracheal secretions by mid-infrared FTIR spectroscopy determined surfactant spectra. Surfactant is reduced in COVID-19 patients requiring ventilator support as compared to non- COVID-19 patients. Dysfunctional surfactant in COVID-19 patients regain its function when respiratory function improves. POPULATION Main population is patients with COVID-19 pneumonia that requires ventilatory support. OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome is the level of surfactant in lung fluid as obtained by tracheal suction. SAMPLE SIZE In total 30 patients will be included: twenty COVID-19 patients and 10 non-COVID-19 patients.