0991. Nebulized heparin reduces pulmonary inflammatory responses in a rat model of acute lung injury

Sepsis is a mayor cause of acute lung injury (ALI). Pulmonary coagulopathy is intrinsic to ALI and in sepsis, anticoagulant system is impaired, due to consumption and downregulation by inflammatory mediators. Several studies, in ALI patients and in ALI experimental models, inconsistently suggest beneficial effects of systemic anticoagulants which affect systemic coagulation. Nebulization of anticoagulants might allow for higher pulmonary concentration and reduce the risk of systemic bleeding.