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14:39
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Acute asthma and the life threatening episode
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia.
Summary
This review outlines the clinical approach to managing acute severe asthma, status asthmaticus, and acute fulminant asthma. Prompt treatment with inhaled salbutamol and intravenous corticosteroids is crucial for severe asthma episodes.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by episodic airflow obstruction and hyper-responsiveness.
- Life-threatening asthma exacerbations include acute severe asthma, status asthmaticus, and acute fulminant asthma, each with distinct clinical presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a comprehensive clinical approach for managing acute asthma episodes, including life-threatening exacerbations.
- To guide healthcare professionals in the timely and effective treatment of severe asthma attacks.
Main Methods:
- A literature review of peer-reviewed articles and studies published between 1966 and 1999.
- MEDLINE database search focusing on the management of acute asthma, status asthmaticus, and acute fulminant asthma.
Main Results:
- Acute severe asthma management involves oxygen, continuous nebulized salbutamol, and intravenous hydrocortisone, with close monitoring of vital signs and respiratory parameters.
- Status asthmaticus and acute fulminant asthma necessitate intensive care unit admission, potentially requiring advanced therapies like intravenous aminophylline, magnesium sulfate, adrenaline, and mechanical ventilation.
- Life-threatening episodes may require intubation, mechanical ventilation, ketamine anesthesia, or extracorporeal life support.
Conclusions:
- Initial management of acute severe asthma focuses on inhaled salbutamol and intravenous corticosteroids.
- Severe asthma exacerbations like status asthmaticus and acute fulminant asthma demand intensive care and may involve anesthetic agents and advanced life support techniques.
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