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Status asthmaticus: is respiratory physiotherapy necessary?
L Echeverría Zudaire1, M Tomico Del Río, T Bracamonte Bermejo
1Pediatric Unit, Severo Ochoa Hospital, Leganés, Madrid. lecheverria@hsvo.insalud.es
Allergologia Et Immunopathologia
|March 29, 2001
Summary
Respiratory physiotherapy can worsen acute asthma, leading to pneumothorax in children. This treatment is best reserved for the recovery phase when bronchoconstriction has lessened and hypersecretion is present.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
- Asthmatic status represents a severe exacerbation requiring prompt medical attention.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old girl with moderate extrinsic asthma experienced sudden clinical deterioration during an asthmatic status episode.
- Following respiratory physiotherapy, she developed a pneumothorax requiring intensive care.
Findings:
- Respiratory physiotherapy, when used during the acute phase of asthma, can lead to adverse events such as pneumothorax.
- The case highlights a potential risk associated with early application of respiratory physiotherapy in severe asthma exacerbations.
Implications:
- Respiratory physiotherapy should be avoided in the initial phase of acute asthma.
- This therapeutic approach should be reserved for the recovery phase, particularly when hypersecretion is present and bronchoconstriction has decreased.