Aerosolized high-molecular-weight hyaluronan (HMW-HA) appears to improve acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggests a new study.

In comparison with placebo, HMW-HA was found to be linked with a significantly shorter duration of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV), lower systemic inflammatory markers, and decreased measured peak airway pressure.

Researchers looked at 44 patients with a history of acute exacerbations of COPD requiring NIPPV. Three patients were excluded owing to heart failure. Twenty patients were given HMW-HA while 21 received placebo in association with NIPPV and standard medical therapy. Patients given HMW-HA were free from NIPPV sooner than those who were given placebo (mean, 5.2 vs 6.4 days; P < .037). Patients given HMW-HA also had significantly shorter hospital stay compared to those in the placebo group (mean, 7.2 vs 10.2 days; P = .039)… (Medscape)