[Use of intravenous adrenalin in severe acute asthma]

The efficacy of and tolerance to intravenous Adrenaline (IV) have been assessed in cases of acute severe asthma (AAG). From January 1983 to March 1990 there were 56 episodes of AAG treated by intravenous Adrenaline using an average dose of 0.33 microgram per kilogramme per minute, in association with intravenous steroid therapy and Aminophylline (0.6 mg/kg per hour). A group of 12 patients were ventilated before admission and were excluded from the study. Two groups were defined on the basis of their admission PaCO2: Group A with 30 episodes of AAG and a PaCO2 above 45 mm of mercury, Group B with 14 episodes of AAG and a PaCO2 of less than 45 mm of mercury. The clinical improvement was equally rapid in both groups on average 8.7 (plus or minus 8.2) hours in Group A and 14.6 (plus or minus 15.7) hours in Group B. Artificial ventilation was only required in 2.3% of cases (7% in Group A and none in Group B). Treatment using intravenous Adrenaline is well tolerated as is shown by the absence of any worsening of the tachycardia, the significant fall in blood pressure after correcting the PaCO2 in Group A and the absence of any raised blood pressure in Group B. In conclusion, treatment with intravenous Adrenaline associated with IV Theophylline and IV corticosteroids based on the fact of its rapid action and that it is well tolerated, means that this drug should be considered as part of the therapeutic arsenal during acute severe asthmatic attacks in patients who are breathing spontaneously.