This is an open label, phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety of losartan in
respiratory failure due to COVID-19.
Briefly, 50 patients with COVID-19 and respiratory failure who meet eligibility criteria and
agree to participation in the study will be placed on losartan 25 mg daily on study day 0. If
parameters are met the dose of losartan will be increased to 50 mg once daily on study day 3.
Participants will continue losartan until they experience resolution of respiratory failure
(normal oxygen levels on room air), are discharged from the hospital, meet stoppage criteria
(detailed below) or complete 14 days of therapy.
Patients and/or surrogate decision maker who do not give consent to treatment will be asked
to allow collection of data from their medical record for use as a control group. We will
also collect medical information relating to safety criteria on historical controls treated
at the University of Kansas Hospital in the 30 days prior to the study start date (3/25/2020)
and during the study period.