Prevention is generally done in babies born at a gestational age of less than 32 weeks.[1] It is given by the endotracheal tube.[1] Onset of effects is rapid.[2] A number of doses may be needed.[2]
Surfactant administration can also be effective in meconium aspiration syndrome where it has been shown to help lower length of stay.[7][8]
For patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), surfactant has not been shown to reduce mortality. However, it may be beneficial in those with COVID-19 associated ARDS.[9][10]
There are a number of types of pulmonary surfactants available. Like their natural counterparts, pulmonary surfactant preparations consist of phospholipids (mainly DPPC) combined with spreading agents such as SP-B and SP-C.[11] Ex-situ measurements of surface tension and interfacial rheology can help to understand the functionality of pulmonary surfactants.[12]
Synthetic pulmonary surfactants:
Colfosceril palmitate (Exosurf) – a mixture of DPPC with hexadecanol and tyloxapol added as spreading agents
Pumactant (Artificial Lung Expanding Compound or ALEC) – a mixture of DPPC and PG
Lucinactant (KL4, trade name Surfaxin) – composed of DPPC, palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylglycerol, and palmitic acid, combined with a 21 amino acid synthetic peptide (sinapultide) that mimics the C-terminal helical domain of SP-B.[13]
Researcher John Clements identified surfactants and their role in the 1950s. Mary Ellen Avery soon after showed that the lungs of premature infants could not produce surfactants.[15]
Exosurf, Curosurf, Infasurf, and Survanta were the initial surfactants FDA approved for use in the U.S.[16]
In 2012, the US FDA approved an additional synthetic surfactant, lucinactant (Surfaxin).[17]
^ abcdefghBritish National Formulary: BNF 69 (69 ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. p. 217. ISBN9780857111562.
^ abMartin RJ, Crowley MA (2013). "Respiratory Problems". In Fanaroff AA, Fanaroff JM (eds.). Klaus and Fanaroff's Care of the High-Risk Neonate, Expert Consult - Online and Print,6: Klaus and Fanaroff's Care of the High-Risk Neonate. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 252. ISBN978-1416040019. Archived from the original on 2017-01-09.
^World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
^Ferguson JD, De Guzman J (2012). "Cardiac Arrest in Special Populations". In Brady B, Charlton NP, Lawner BJ, Sutherland SF (eds.). Cardiac Arrest, An Issue of Emergency Medicine Clinics. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 175. ISBN978-1455742769. Archived from the original on 2017-01-09.
^Taeusch HW, Lu K, Ramierez-Schrempp D (2002). "Improving pulmonary surfactants"(PDF). Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. 23 Suppl: 11–5. Archived(PDF) from the original on 2015-03-01.