[Emergency intubation and ventilation therapy in severe bronchial asthma]

37 patients were treated with emergency intubation because of severe asthma bronchiale. In 30 patients the usual bronchospasmolytic therapy was ineffective, 12 patients were under permanent treatment. Halothane produced immediate and unequivocal improvement of respiratory global insufficiency and resolution of bronchospasm in 8 out of 13 patients, ketamine in 6 of 18 and a combination of both drugs in 4 of 9 patients. Both drugs are an efficient complement to conventional emergency treatment. A step-by-step schema for anaesthesia in severe asthma bronchiale requiring intubation is presented.