Inhaled medication to prevent lung infection in hospitalized liver patients

This trial is testing whether a medication called amikacin, given by inhalation (breathed in), can help prevent a serious lung infection called ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with severe liver disease. People with advanced liver disease who need a breathing tube are at particularly high risk for this type of pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. The study will compare the medication to a placebo to see if the treatment actually works.

Patients with severe liver disease who are hospitalized often need breathing machines, and their condition makes them very vulnerable to developing lung infections that can worsen their outcome. Although a similar study showed promise with this medication in other critically ill patients, doctors need evidence that it works specifically for people with liver disease before they can recommend it as standard care.