Aminophylline dosage in acute severe asthma

In 27 cases of acute severe asthma, a loading dose of 5 mg/kg of aminophylline (omitted if already receiving oral theophylline) followed by a continuous infusion of 1 mg/kg per hour gave satisfactory theophylline levels at 4 h and 24 h. Theophylline clearance rates varied widely, vomiting was common, but unrelated to blood theophylline levels.     

Safety of intravenous terbutaline in acute severe asthma: a retrospective study

Objective: (1) To determine the effect of intravenous terbutaline in children with acute severe asthma on parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram and serum electrolytes; (2) to assess the safety profile and to evaluate the outcome of children treated with intravenous terbutaline for acute severe asthma. Design: Retrospective study of admission records of children admitted with acute severe asthma who needed intravenous terbutaline. Setting: Children's Hospital at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK. Patients: 77 children with acute severe asthma admitted between April 1999 and October 2002. Results: There was a significant increase in heart rate and significant fall in diastolic blood pressure in this cohort. Four patients required inotropic support. None of the patients had cardiac arrhythmias. Potassium supplements were required in 10 patients due to hypokalaemia. All patients improved and none required initiation of ventilation after commencing terbutaline. There was no mortality in this cohort.

Conclusions: Terbutaline was found to be safe for use in this patient group in doses ranging between 1 and 5 μg/kg/min. Intravenous terbutaline was found to be a useful adjunct in those who failed to respond to standard initial therapy.     

Randomised controlled trial of aminophylline for severe acute asthma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether children with severe acute asthma treated with large doses of inhaled salbutamol, inhaled ipratropium, and intravenous steroids are conferred any further benefits by the addition of aminophylline given intravenously. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of 163 children admitted to hospital with asthma who were unresponsive to nebulised salbutamol. RESULTS: The placebo and treatment groups of children were similar at baseline. The 48 children in the aminophylline group had a greater improvement in spirometry at six hours and a higher oxygen saturation in the first 30 hours. Five subjects in the placebo group were intubated and ventilated after enrollment compared with none in the aminophylline group. CONCLUSIONS: Aminophylline continues to have a place in the management of severe acute asthma in children unresponsive to initial treatment.     

Higher-dose intravenous magnesium therapy for children with moderate to severe acute asthma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a 40-mg/kg dose of intravenous magnesium sulfate for moderate to severe asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Two urban tertiary care pediatric emergency departments. SUBJECTS: Thirty patients, aged 6 to 17.9 years, being treated for an acute asthma exacerbation. INTERVENTION: Eligible patients received either a magnesium sulfate infusion of 40 mg/kg or saline solution. RESULTS: At 20 minutes, the time at which the infusion was completed, the magnesium group had a significantly greater percentage of absolute improvement from baseline in each of the following: predicted peak expiratory flow rate (8.6% vs 0.3%, P<. 001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (7.0% vs 0.2%,P<.001), and forced vital capacity (7.3% vs -0.7%, P<.001). The improvement was greater at 110 minutes: peak expiratory flow rate (25.8% vs 1.9%, P<.001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (24.1% vs 2.3%; P<. 001), and forced vital capacity (27.3% vs 2.6%, P<.001). Patients who received intravenous magnesium were more likely to be discharged to their homes than those who received the placebo (8/16 vs 0/14; P=. 002). CONCLUSION: Children treated with 40 mg/kg of intravenous magnesium sulfate for moderate to severe asthma showed remarkable improvement in short-term pulmonary function.     

酮替芬对哮喘患儿茶碱药代动力学影响的研究

目的研究酮替芬对哮喘患儿茶碱药代动力学的影响。方法应用高效液相色谱仪测定茶碱血浓度,对１２例哮喘患儿单用氨茶碱和氨茶碱加酮替芬后两组茶碱药代动力学参数及浓度进行对照观察。结果加用酮替芬后,血清茶碱最高浓度降低２０１％,清除速率常数和清除率分别增加２４１％和５３７％,曲线下面积减少３２９％,清除半衰期缩短２４９％。结论酮替芬、氨茶碱相互作用可能增强茶碱治疗哮喘的安全性和有效性     

A survey of consultant practice: intravenous salbutamol or aminophylline for acute severe childhood asthma and awareness of potential hypokalaemia

British Thoracic Society guidelines recommend intravenous salbutamol or aminophylline for acute severe asthma in children. In the survey reported here, 133 consultant paediatricians completed a questionnaire aimed at evaluating their choice of intravenous bronchodilator for acute severe asthma and their awareness of subsequent hypokalaemia. Of the non-Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) consultants who responded, 82%, including respiratory paediatricians, reported using aminophylline; in contrast, PICU consultants were significantly more likely to use salbutamol (p=<0.001). There was a lack of awareness that hypokalaemia occurs with aminophylline: 50% of the consultants suggested that hypokalaemia was rare or did not occur. Consultants using intravenous aminophylline were significantly less likely to recheck serum potassium levels than those using intravenous salbutamol (p=0.03). Based on the completed questionnaires, salbutamol infusions are rarely used outside the PICU, and the awareness of potential hypokalaemia following intravenous bronchodilator treatment is variable. It would appear, therefore, that standardised clinical practice is required in order to recognise and treat potential hypokalaemia.     

氧气驱动雾化治疗小儿中重度哮喘急性发作的疗效观察

目的     

雾化吸入硫酸镁对哮喘患儿肺功能影响的系统评价和Meta分析

目的 系统评价雾化吸入硫酸镁对儿童哮喘急性发作的疗效和安全性。方法 检索 PubMed、Medline、EMBASE、Cochrane图书馆、中国生物医学文献数据库、万方数据库、中国知网及维普中文科技期刊数据库,检索时间均从建库至 2014年7月31日,获得雾化吸入硫酸镁治疗儿童哮喘的RCT文献。根据 Cochrane系统评价员手册推荐的方法行文献质量评价。以吸入硫酸镁后10、20 min时点肺功能作为主要结局指标,住院率、哮喘严重程度评分和不良事件作为次要结局指标。效应量以SMD及其95%CI表示,采用RevMan 软件进行Meta 分析,并根据不同肺功能指标和硫酸镁用药方式（单用或合用）行亚组分析。结果 8 篇RCT文献（n=1 161）进入Meta分析。①吸入后10 、20 min时点总体肺功能指标,硫酸镁组与对照组差异无统计学意义（10 min：SMD＝-0.32,95%CI：-0.67~0.04,P=0.08;20 min：SMD＝-0.11,95%CI：-0.40~0.17,P=0.43）。②按不同肺功能指标和硫酸镁用药方式亚组分析结果显示,吸入后10、20 min,PEF较基线增加百分比硫酸镁组显著低于沙丁胺醇组（10 min：SMD=-0.75,95%CI: -1.29~-0.22,P=0.005;20 min：SMD=-0.46,95%CI: -0.72~-0.20,P=0.006）;FEV1占预计值百分比硫酸镁+沙丁胺醇组与对照组差异无统计学意义（10 min：SMD=-0.03,95%CI：-0.52~-0.46,P=0.89;20 min：SMD＝0.04,95%CI：-0.29~0.37,P=0.81）;PEF占预计值百分比硫酸镁+沙丁胺醇组与对照组差异无统计学意义（10 min：SMD=-0.02,95%CI ：-0.23~0.19,P=0.83;20 min：SMD=0.05,95%CI： -0.31~0.42,P=0.78）。③硫酸镁组和对照组在次要结局指标方面总体上没有表现出较大的差别。结论 硫酸镁雾化吸入相较于常规雾化治疗无明显优势,单用硫酸镁雾化吸入效果不如沙丁胺醇,硫酸镁与沙丁胺醇联合雾化吸入相较于单用沙丁胺醇无明显协同作用。     

Comparison of terbutaline and salbutamol inhalation in children with mild or moderate acute exacerbation of asthma

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and side effects of terbutaline and salbutamol administered by metered dose inhaler and holding chamber in the mild to moderate acute exacerbations of asthma in children.Methods: The study subjects were children in the age group of 5–15 years who presented with a mild or moderate acute exacerbation of asthma. Baseline assessment included clinical parameters and spirometry. The children were then randomized to receive salbutamol or terbutaline. Three puffs each of either 100 mcg salbutamol or 250 mcg of terbutaline were administered using 750 ml holding chamber with valve. Thirty minutes after drug administration, the children were reevaluated for clinical parameters and spirometry.Results: Of the total 60 subjects studied, 31 were administered terbutaline and 29 salbutamol. The baseline spirometric parameters were comparable. After drug administration, all the studied variables showed significant improvement within each group. However, there were no statistically significant differences when the two groups were compared with each other. There was no significant difference in the side effects between two groups.Conclusion: Terbutaline and salbutamol, when administered by MDI with holding chamber, are equally efficacious in children with mild or moderate acute exacerbation of asthma.     

Intravenous bronchodilator choices in acute severe and life-threatening asthma

When inhaled therapy fails to reverse bronchospasm during a severe asthma attack, intramuscular epinephrine and intravenous (IV) magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄), salbutamol, and aminophylline reach bronchial smooth muscle cells by the vascular route. There is no consensus on how long to wait before abandoning inhaled therapy, little agreement on which IV drug to use first, in what order, what dose to use, and IV delivery speed. IV therapy can begin with MgSO₄ 40 mg–75 mg⁻¹ as a bolus rather than over 20 minutes, followed by salbutamol 15 mg.kg⁻¹ over 10 minutes. Aminophylline is still used even though it is proscribed in some asthma guidelines. In the Netherlands the selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor enoximone (Perfan™) is used IV in status asthmaticus but is unlicensed for UK use in asthma. Escalation to IV therapy should begin as soon as nebulized therapy and steroid are seen to be ineffective. This article discusses the reasons for the use or non-use of each IV drug and the potential benefits of using of MgSO₄ followed by salbutamol.     

Effect of inhaled terbutaline sulphate (dry powder, Turbuhaler and nebulizer solution) in children with acute asthma

Forty seven children (6-14 years), with an acute mild or moderate attack of asthma (clinical score 3 or FEV1 > 50% of the predicted), were treated with terbutaline sulphate, by inhalation route with a dry powder inhaler (Turbuhaler - 0,5 mg - group T; N=27, or by a nebulizer 1% solution-in saline-compressed air (6 l/min.) group S; N=20. The children were evaluated at 5, 15, 25 and 30 minutes after the initial treatment. In both groups a significant fall of the clinical score (starting at 15 minutes) (p < 0.05) and a significant improvement of the FEV(1), VC and FEF25-75% (starting at 5 minutes), were observed (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in heart rates, respiratory rates and blood pressure (p > 0.05). At the end of the first treatment, the number of patients with a FEV(1) < 80% was similar in both groups (T = 13/27 and S = 10/20). The same treatment was repeated, and all the children showed a marked improvement, except for one boy of the group T was hospitalized. In conclusion, children with mild or moderate acute attacks of asthma can be treated up to a week with an inhalation of dry powder, resulting in adequate bronchodilatation without important side effects.     

The clinical significance of lung hypoexpansion in acute childhood asthma

Background Many children experiencing acute asthmatic episodes have chest radiographs, which may show lung hyperinflation, hypoinflation, or normal inflation. Lung hypoinflation may be a sign of respiratory fatigue and poor prognosis.Objective To compare the clinical course in children with asthma according to the degree of lung inflation on chest radiographs.Patients and methods We conducted a retrospective study during a 24-month period (from July 1999 to July 2001) of children aged 0–17 years, who presented to a pediatric emergency department or outpatient clinic with an asthma exacerbation. Chest radiographs obtained at presentation were reviewed independently by three pediatric radiologists who were blinded to the admission status of the patient. The correlation between hypoinflation and hospital admission was assessed in three age groups: 0–2 years, 3–5 years, and 6–17 years.Results Hypoinflation on chest radiographs was significantly correlated with hospital admission for children aged 6–17 years (odds ratio 16.00, 95% confidence interval 1.89–135.43). The inter-reader agreement for interpretation of these radiographs was strong, with a kappa score of 0.76. Hypoinflation was not correlated with admission in younger children.Conclusion Lung hypoinflation is associated with a greater likelihood of hospital admission in children aged 6 years or older. Therefore, hypoinflation was a poor prognostic sign and may warrant more aggressive therapy.     

不同年龄支气管哮喘急性发作患儿的临床特点分析

目的 探讨不同年龄支气管哮喘急性发作患儿的临床特点.方法 回顾性分析2012 年6 月至2015 年6 月118 例支气管哮喘急性发作患儿的临床资料,按年龄分为3 组:婴幼儿组(结果 婴幼儿组合并肺炎及住院期间使用抗菌药物的比例最高,住院费用最高,住院天数最长,随年龄增长以上指标均逐渐降低,差异有统计学意义(PP结论 不同年龄的支气管哮喘急性发作患儿的临床特点不同,其中哮喘急性发作婴幼儿合并肺炎的比例高,抗菌药物使用率高,住院费用高,住院时间长,且哮喘的规范治疗率低.     

Cardiac toxicity of intravenous terbutaline for the treatment of severe asthma in children: a prospective assessment

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cardiac toxicity as measured by elevations in serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and to compare creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and findings on electrocardiography (ECG) as markers of cardiac toxicity with cTnT during the infusion of intravenous terbutaline for the treatment of severe asthma in children. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of patients receiving intravenous terbutaline for severe asthma. RESULTS: Only 3 (10%) of the 29 patients had elevations in cTnT. Each underwent mechanical ventilation for >72 hours, which was the earliest point at which cTnT elevations were identified. Eighteen (62%) patients had an elevation in CK, and 3 had an elevation in CK-MB fraction without an elevated cTnT. Twenty (69%) patients had ECG findings consistent with ischemia, and 19 of these patients had the ischemic findings on their preterbutaline ECG. Elevations in CK and CK-MB and ischemic changes on ECG did not correlate with elevations in cTnT. Both mechanical ventilation (P =.02) and prolonged administration (>72 hours) of intravenous terbutaline (P =. 02) were significantly associated with elevations in cTnT. CONCLUSIONS: We found no clinically significant cardiac toxicity from the use of intravenous terbutaline for severe asthma as measured by serum cTnT elevations.     

哮喘儿童外周血可溶性干细胞因子的测定和临床意义

目的 探讨可溶性干细胞因子（solublestem cell factor，sSCF）在哮喘发病中的作用。方法 使用酶联免疫吸附法对90例哮喘患儿发作期和缓解期外周血血清sSCF的水平进行了检测。结果 哮喘发作期sSCF水平较缓解期和正常对照组明显降低（P均〈0．05）；缓解期水平有明显升高，但仍然低于正常对照组。结论 sSCF参与了儿童支气管哮喘的发病，检测患儿外周血sSCF水平可作为判断病情严重程度的重要指标。     

Randomized clinical trial of intravenous magnesium sulfate versus salbutamol in early management of severe acute asthma in children

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulfate and intravenous salbutamol in the treatment of severe asthma in children. METHODS: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, including children above 2 years of age with severe acute asthma admitted to the observation ward of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Hospital S?o Lucas. All patients received conventional treatment (oxygen, corticoids, beta-adrenergics) on admission, and later received one of the following solutions: a) IVMg (50 mg/kg); b) intravenous salbutamol (1 micro g/kg); c) saline solution. Clinical assessments, electrolyte concentration, and arterial blood gas analyses were recorded before intravenous infusion and one hour after that. RESULTS: Fifty patients participated in this study (of whom 53% were females, mean age = 4.5 years). There were no significant differences among the three groups. The group that received IVMg presented lower blood pressure during administration, which reached normal levels one hour afterwards, along with an increase in serum magnesium (P<0,001) and serum pH, and reduction of PaCO(2). The group that received intravenous salbutamol had lower respiratory rate (P=0.05) and higher blood pressure (P=0.01), and one hour after administration, these patients showed decreased respiratory rate (P=0.02); lower levels of serum potassium (P=0.009); higher pH, and reduced PaCO(2). This group required fewer nebulizations (P=0.009), fewer nebulizations per day (P<0.001) and less oxygen therapy than the IVMg and placebo groups. Acidosis was more persistent (P<0.01) in the placebo group. No difference as to the length of hospital stay was observed in any of the three groups. Artificial ventilation was necessary in 10% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The early intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate, especially salbutamol, achieved a rapid clinical response with excellent prognosis and no significant side effects.     

哮喘儿童外周血可溶性干细胞因子的测定和临床意义

目的探讨可溶性干细胞因子(soluble stem cell factor,sSCF)在哮喘发病中的作用。方法使用酶联免疫吸附法对90例哮喘患儿发作期和缓解期外周血血清sSCF的水平进行了检测。结果哮喘发作期sSCF水平较缓解期和正常对照组明显降低(P均<0.05);缓解期水平有明显升高,但仍然低于正常对照组。结论sSCF参与了儿童支气管哮喘的发病,检测患儿外周血sSCF水平可作为判断病情严重程度的重要指标。