The use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (NMBA) could significantly decrease mortality in moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients and decrease the incidence of barotrauma during mechanical ventilation. However, more large-scale randomized trials are needed to further validate the effect of NMBA use in ARDS.

A total of 7 trials enrolling 1,598 patients were finally included in this meta-analysis.

The results revealed that the use of NMBAs in moderate-to-severe ARDS could significantly decrease the mortality truncated to day 28 and day 90.

NMBA use could significantly decrease the incidence of barotrauma.

No significant difference was observed in ICU-free days or ventilation-free days between the NMBA and control groups.

All randomized trials investigating the use of NMBAs in patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS and reporting mortality data were included in the meta-analysis.

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