The Effect of Selenium High Dose Intravenous on Rapid Shallow Breathing Index (RSBI) in Ill Patients: A Clinical Trial Study

Selenium (Se), mainly through its incorporation into selenoproteins, plays an important role in in ammation and immunity. Evidence has emerged regarding roles for individual selenoproteins in regulating in ammation and immunity: The aim of the study was to evaluate of the effect of selenium administration on rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) in ill patients.
In this single blinded clinical trial study, 105 patients under mechanical ventilation were randomly divided into three groups, a received 1mg of Selenium, group B received 0/5 mg of selenium and group C received 2cc normal saline daily. Patients at the time of breathing spontaneously, and when receiving pressure support ventilation 8 and 5 cmH2o, and at the time of extubation were evaluated for Rapid Shallow Breathing Index and then compared between the groups.
There were no significant differences in the three groups in terms of distribution of age, sex, and cause of hospitalization and the mean of RSBI index at breathing spontaneously and when ventilator setting were reached to pressure support ventilation 8 cmH2o, however the difference was significant between the three groups from the pressure support ventilation 5 cmH2o until the extubation time.
The results of the study showed a positive effect of selenium high dose (1mg) on the reduction of extubation time and RSBI, but due to the limitations of our study, further studies are recommended.