Management of severe bronchial asthma in an intensive care unit

Seventy-nine patients suffering from severe bronchial asthma were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) between 1970 and 1978. This was 0.8% of the total number of asthmatic patients treated in Meilahti hospital during the same period. The major indication for admission to the ICU was severe airway obstruction leading to respiratory failure. In 65% tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were needed besides the conventional treatment. In spite of intensive care 9% of the patients died.