Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), awarded The Johns Hopkins University a Project Grant of $233,250 effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. This award supports the development of a reproducible large animal translational model using swine to investigate acute lung injury (ALI) and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a respiratory support intervention. The project addresses a critical clinical gap by advancing understanding of optimal ECMO management strategies and lung recovery mechanisms in severe ALI, where mortality approaches 40% despite standard lung-protective ventilation strategies.

The deliverables include establishment of a validated swine model of ALI that enables systematic investigation of how ECMO modulates disease progression and mechanisms of lung injury. By creating this reproducible translational platform, the research will inform clinical approaches to balance ventilatory support with lung protection, potentially improving outcomes for patients with severe respiratory failure who require extracorporeal respiratory support. Research will be conducted at Johns Hopkins University's Baltimore, Maryland facility.