Clinical Trials

Inclusion Criteria: 

• Severe Pneumonia defined as hospitalization for acute (< 7 days) onset of symptoms (cough, sputum production, or dyspnea) and radiographic evidence of pneumonia by chest radiograph or CT scan and evidence of systemic inflammation (temperature < 35oC or > 38oC or WBC < 4000 or > 11,000 or procalcitonin > 0.5 mcg/L).
• Hypoxemia defined as new requirement for supplemental oxygen with SpO2 < 90% on room air, ≤ 96% on ≥ 2 L/min oxygen, or > 6L/min or NIV (regardless of SpO2) at enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria: 

• A condition requiring inhaled corticosteroids or beta-agonists, or chronic systemic steroid therapy equivalent to a dose >10 mg prednisone (this does not include patients receiving inhaled beta-agonists in the Emergency Department without an established indication if treating clinician is willing to discontinue subsequent treatments).
• Contraindication or known allergy to inhaled corticosteroids or beta-agonists.
• Inability to obtain consent within 12 hours of meeting entry criteria.
• Intubation (or impending intubation) prior to enrollment.
• This does not include those patients receiving High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen or Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) prior to enrollment.
• Do Not Intubate order but does not include a "Do Not Resuscitate" order.
• Chronic lung or neuromuscular disease requiring daytime oxygen or mechanical ventilation other than for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
• Not anticipated to survive > 48 hours or not expected to require > 48 hours of hospitalization.
• Patients with heart rate > 130 bpm, ventricular tachycardia or new supraventricular tachycardia within last 4 hours, or K+ < 3.0 will be potentially eligible for enrollment after the condition has resolved.
• Younger than 18 years of age.
• Pregnancy.