Abstract
Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) owing to leptospirosis is associated with a high mortality. This is in spite of mechanical ventilation in a critical care setting. ARDS by its very nature, associated with economic constraints in our patients has made treating these patients a challenge. Objective: To study if combination of methylprednisolone and noninvasive ventilation is life-saving in ARDS owing to leptospirosis. Design: Interventional pilot study. Setting: Medical intensive care unit of a rural medical college hospital. Participants: Eight patients diagnosed to have ARDS owing to leptospirosis. Main outcome indicator: Survival. Results: Seven out of eight patients who were treated with methylprednisolone and noninvasive ventilation recovered fully to resume normal life. Conclusion: Methylprednisolone with noninvasive ventilation is life-saving in ARDS owing to leptospirosis.