Clinical Trial Reveals Benefits of Inhaled Nitric Oxide for Patients with Respiratory Failure Due to COVID-19 Pneumonia
Treatment improved blood oxygen levels and lowered the risk of long-term sensory and motor neurologic symptoms.
After his medical school at the University of Milan, Dr. Berra spent three years under the mentorship of Dr. Theodor Kolobow in a research laboratory at the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD). From 2006-2011 he completed his residency in Anesthesia and fellowship in Critical Care both at the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at MGH. Since 2011 he is a staff anesthesiologist and intensivist and a member of Dr. Warren Zapol's MGH Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research. His current patient care activities are focused on caring for critically ill patients and their families. His primary research and academic interests involve translational research to improve diagnosis, treatment and care of critically ill patients with cardio-pulmonary failure or severe infections
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Mass General Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
55 Fruit St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-3030
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Description of Research
In my early research career I worked at the National Institutes of Health, under the supervision of my mentor Dr. Theodore Kolobow (2000-2005). We developed several new methods and medical devices to avoid aspiration and ventilator associated pneumonia: such as novel rotating beds, care of intubated patients, novel endotracheal tube designs, new methods of ventilation, and novel approach to prevent bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract. In animal models we experimented and successfully showed feasibility and efficacy of those methods. In order to test these hypotheses and other novel approaches to prevent lung injury in mechanically ventilated patients, Dr. Robert Kacmarek and I established a Respiratory and Critical Care Research Team in the department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at MGH. Under the mentorship of Dr. Warren Zapol, I also expanded my studies on the role of transfusion and hemolysis on hemodynamics, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and organ dysfunction.
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Treatment improved blood oxygen levels and lowered the risk of long-term sensory and motor neurologic symptoms.
Findings from a Mass General-led study could offer a new treatment approach for pneumonia combining high dose inhaled nitric oxide gas with careful patient monitoring.
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