Inhaled beta-agonists for asthma in mechanically ventilated patients

A small number of patients with acute severe asthma require intubation and positive pressure ventilation. The beneficial effects of inhaled bronchodilators on acute asthma in spontaneously breathing subjects are well established, but there remain important questions regarding inhaled beta2-agonists, for patients who are intubated and receiving ventilation.

To determine the effects of inhaled beta-agonists on asthmatic patients who require intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Randomised controlled trials were sought from the Cochrane Airways Group Asthma Register. Primary authors and content experts were contacted to identify eligible studies and bibliographies from known reviews and texts were searched.

Randomised, controlled clinical trials involving adult patients with acute asthma, who were intubated and supported with positive pressure ventilation. Studies were to be included if patients were treated with beta2-adrenergic agonist agents and there was a comparator group treated with either placebo, no medication, or 'standard' treatment.

Two reviewers independently examined all identified articles. The full text of any potentially relevant article was reviewed independently by two reviewers.

The search yielded 152 abstracts. Of these, four articles were identified as potential trials. None of the four trials met the inclusion criteria for the review. A further search was conducted in August 2001. No further trials were included in the review.

There are no data from randomised controlled trials to provide evidence for or against current practices regarding the use of inhaled beta2-agonists in asthmatic subjects who are intubated and ventilated.