Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in severe asthma
Lewinsohn, G.; Klinowski, E.; Leonov, Y.
Harefuah 128(3): 139-142; 200
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-7768 PMID: 7759001 Document Number: 453825
Retrospective analysis of all patients with acute bronchial asthma who required intubation and mechanical ventilation was performed in 1987-1993. Our study group comprised 29 patients with a total of 31 episodes of mechanical ventilation. Indications for intubation and ventilation were cardio-respiratory arrest in 9 episodes, and deterioration of clinical status despite aggressive therapy in 22 episodes. Mechanical ventilation strategy was to avoid high air-way pressures of more than 50 cm H2O even if respiratory acidosis persisted. The risk of barotrauma was thus eliminated; other complications were few and reversible, and all patients survived. We conclude that intubation and mechanical ventilation in severe asthma is beneficial and safe, and the prognosis very good.