UserName:
The OSCAR Trial is a multicentre, randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing conventional positive pressure ventilation with high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) for adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
The trial is taking place in12 Adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in the NHS in the United Kingdom. A total of 1006 patients will be recruited over a three year period, recruitment started in November 2007.
Patients are eligible for the trial if they meet the following inclusion
criteria:
* Age >16 years
* Weight >35kg
* Receiving artificial ventilation via an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube
* Have acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure as defined by:
Lowest recorded PaO2/FiO2 ratio measured between onset of artificial ventilation and time of screening of <= 26.7 kPa with apositive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) >= 5 cmH20* Have been mechanically ventilated for LESS than 7 consecutive days (? 168 hours) at the point of randomisation
o Bilateral infiltrates on chest radiograph
o Will not be extubated by tomorrow evening (predicted byattending clinician)
Website is www.oscar-trial.org