Steroids to reduce swallowing problems and aspiration after breathing-tube removal
Randomized Trial of Corticosteroids for Post-Extubation Aspiration
This project gives a short course of corticosteroids when a breathing tube is removed to try to lower swallowing problems and aspiration in adults who have been on a ventilator, especially older patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171566 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are an adult who has been on a ventilator and are having a breathing tube removed, this project would randomly give a short course of corticosteroids or usual care at the time of extubation. Researchers will monitor you for swallowing problems and signs of aspiration, including tests for laryngeal swelling, pneumonia, need for feeding tubes, and length of hospital stay. The team uses prior findings that laryngeal swelling is common after intubation and linked to aspiration to guide treatment and outcome measurements. The aim is to see whether a simple steroid treatment around extubation helps people return to safe oral eating sooner and reduces complications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults—particularly older adults—recovering from acute respiratory failure who are undergoing removal of an endotracheal (breathing) tube after mechanical ventilation.
Not a fit: People who are not being extubated, children, or patients with clear contraindications to corticosteroids (for example certain active infections or uncontrolled diabetes) are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce aspiration-related pneumonia and feeding tube placement and help older ventilated patients resume oral eating more quickly.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work from this group found laryngeal swelling in over half of survivors and a threefold higher aspiration risk, but randomized evidence that steroids prevent post-extubation aspiration is limited.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moss, Marc — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Moss, Marc
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.