Adult patients who suffered smoke inhalation injury and who are candidates for elective intubation, have evidence of bronchial burn by fiberoptic bronchoscopy, have no evidence of acute lung injury and no more than 24 hours since inhalation injury will be included.~Patients will be randomized into 2 groups:~Group A (Intervention): Patients will receive 5000 IU heparin mixed with 3 ml saline and nebulized every 4 hours until they are extubated or until 14 days have elapsed whichever is earlier.~Group B (Control): Patients will receive 4 ml of normal saline nebulized every 4 hours until they are extubated or until 14 days have elapsed whichever is earlier.~Occurrence of acute lung injury will be assessed everyday for a maximum of 28 days.~The primary end point is the occurrence of acute lung injury defined as defined by the Murray Lung Injury Score.
This study aims to examine the value of nebulized heparin for prevention of acute lung injury in adult patients suffering smoke inhalation injury.~Patients will be randomized to receive nebulized heparin or an equal volume of normal saline for 14 days and the incidence of acute lung injury will be compared in either group.