Mechanically Ventilating the Severe Asthmatic

Using a Low-Flow Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal (ECCO 2 R) System in the Management of Refractory Status Asthmaticus: A Case Series

Rescue treatments for status asthmaticus remain limited. Current literature has mainly focused on using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a primary modality of care for these patients. Low-flow extracorporeal CO 2 removal (ECCO 2 R) systems are an attractive option to improve refractory hypercapnic respiratory acidosis because of status asthmaticus. This is a retrospective case series that describes the feasibility and efficacy of the use of a low-flow ECCO 2 R device, the Hemolung Respiratory Assist System, in patients with refractory hypercapnic respiratory failure because of status asthmaticus. Eight patients were treated with the Hemolung Respiratory Assist System in eight separate locations globally. Seven (88%) of the patients survived to discharge in this case series. Both CO 2 and pH resolution were seen in 6 hours. None of the ECCO 2 R runs were stopped because of mechanical- or device-related complications. One patient necessitated transition to ECMO. Low-flow ECCO 2 R systems is an effective option for resolution of refractory hypercapnia in status asthmaticus. Use of these systems are also associated with a survival rate of close to 90% in patients with status asthmaticus.

Critical Care Management of Severe Asthma Exacerbations

Severe asthma exacerbations, including near-fatal asthma (NFA), have high morbidity and mortality. Mechanical ventilation of patients with severe asthma is difficult due to the complex pathophysiology resulting from severe bronchospasm and dynamic hyperinflation. Life-threatening complications of traditional ventilation strategies in asthma exacerbations include the development of systemic hypotension from hyperinflation, air trapping, and pneumothoraces. Optimizing pharmacologic techniques and ventilation strategies is crucial to treat the underlying bronchospasm. Despite optimal pharmacologic management and mechanical ventilation, the mortality rate of patients with severe asthma in intensive care units is 8%, suggesting a need for advanced non-pharmacologic therapies, including extracorporeal life support (ECLS). This review focuses on the pathophysiology of acute asthma exacerbations, ventilation management including non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), the pharmacologic management of acute asthma, and ECLS. This review also explores additional advanced non-pharmacologic techniques and monitoring tools for the safe and effective management of critically ill adult asthmatic patients.

Acute severe asthma and its predictors of mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria: a-five year retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVES

There is an observed paucity of data regarding the predictors of asthma mortality in Nigeria. This study aimed to ascertain the clinical presentations and predictors of acute severe asthma mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study using a data form and a standardized questionnaire was used to review the 124 patients admitted at Emergency Department between January 2015 and December 2019. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0. The results were presented in descriptive and tabular formats. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of asthma mortality and a p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 124 patients were studied. The acute severe asthma mortality was 4.8% and its predictors were older age (Crude odds Ratio (COR), 14.857; 95% CI: 2.489-88.696, p < .001), Tobacco smoking (COR, 6.741; 95% CI: 1.170-38.826, p = .016), more than three co-morbidities (COR, 2.750; 95% CI: 1.147-26.454, p = 0.012), diabetes mellitus (COR, 13.750; 95% CI: 2.380-79.433, p < .001), Human Immunodeficiency virus (COR, 117.000; 95% CI: 9.257-1479.756, p < .001), ≥2 days before presentation (COR, 7.440; 95% CI: 1.288-42.980, p = .039), and Short-acting-B2-agonists overuse (COR, 7.041; 95% CI: 1.005-62.165, p = .044).

CONCLUSION

The mortality rate was 4.8% and its predictors were older age patients, tobacco smoking, multiple co-morbidities, diabetes mellitus, HIV, SP02 <90%, delay presentation, and Short-acting-B2-agonists over use, The study showed that there is high prevalence of asthma mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria. The findings may be used to plan for asthma preventions and control programs in rural settings, and may also provide an impetus for prospective research on these outcomes.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Refractory Asthma Exacerbations With Respiratory Failure

BACKGROUND

Asthma exacerbations with respiratory failure (AERF) are associated with hospital mortality of 7% to 15%. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used as a salvage therapy for refractory AERF, but controlled studies showing its association with mortality have not been performed.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is treatment with ECMO associated with lower mortality in refractory AERF compared with standard care?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a retrospective, epidemiologic, observational cohort study using a national, administrative data set from 2010 to 2020 that includes 25% of US hospitalizations. People were included if they were admitted to an ECMO-capable hospital with an asthma exacerbation, and were treated with short-acting bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids, and invasive ventilation. People were excluded for age < 18 years, no ICU stay, nonasthma chronic lung disease, COVID-19, or multiple admissions. The main exposure was ECMO vs No ECMO. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Key secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, time receiving invasive ventilation, and total hospital costs.

RESULTS

The study analyzed 13,714 patients with AERF, including 127 with ECMO and 13,587 with No ECMO. ECMO was associated with reduced mortality in the covariate-adjusted (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17-0.64; P = .001), propensity score-adjusted (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16-0.81; P = .01), and propensity score-matched models (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.24-0.98; P = .04) vs No ECMO. Sensitivity analyses showed that mortality reduction related to ECMO ranged from OR 0.34 to 0.61. ECMO was also associated with increased hospital costs in all three models (P < .0001 for all) vs No ECMO, but not with decreased ICU LOS, hospital LOS, or time receiving invasive ventilation.

INTERPRETATION

ECMO was associated with lower mortality and higher hospital costs, suggesting that it may be an important salvage therapy for refractory AERF following confirmatory clinical trials.

Elevated PaCO2 levels increase pulmonary artery pressure

Permissive hypercapnia is commonly used in mechanically ventilated patients to avoid lung injury but its effect on pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is still unclear, particularly in combination with tidal volume (Vt). Therefore, an in vivo study was performed on adult rabbits ventilated with low (9 ml/Kg, LVt group) or high (15 ml/Kg, HVt group) tidal volume (Vt) and alterations in PAP were estimated. Both groups of animals initially were ventilated with FiO2 0.3 (Normocapnia-1) followed by inhalation of enriched CO2 gas mixture (FiCO2 0.10) to develop hypercapnia (Hypercapnia-1). After 30 min of hypercapnia, animals were re-ventilated with FiO2 0.3 to develop normocapnia (Normocapnia-2) again and then with FiCO2 0.10 to develop hypercapnia (Hypercapnia-2). Systolic, diastolic and mean PAP were assessed with a catheter in the pulmonary artery. In HP-1 and HP-2, PaCO2 increased (p < 0.0001) in both LVt and HVt animals compared to baseline values. pH decreased to ≈7.2 in HP-1 and ≈7.1 in HP -2. In normocapnia, the rise in Vt from 9 to 15 ml/Kg induced an increase in static compliance (Cstat), plateau airway pressure (Pplat) and PAP. Hypercapnia increased PAP in either LVt or HVt animals without significant effect on Cstat or Pplat. A two-way ANOVA revealed that there was not a statistically significant interaction between the effects of hypercapnia and tidal volume on mPAP (p = 0.76). In conclusion, increased Vt per se induced an increase in Cstat, Pplat and PAP in normocapnia. Hypercapnia increased PAP in rabbits ventilated with low or high Vt but this effect was not long-lasting.

Volatile anesthetic agents for life-threatening pediatric asthma: A multicenter retrospective cohort study and narrative review

BACKGROUND

Volatile anesthetic agents are described as rescue therapy for children invasively ventilated for critical asthma. Yet, data are currently limited to case series.

AIMS

Using the Virtual Pediatric Systems database, we assessed children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit invasively ventilated for life-threatening asthma and hypothesized ventilation duration and mortality rates would be lower for subjects exposed to volatile anesthetics compared with those without exposure.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study among nine institutions including children 5-17 years of age invasively ventilated for asthma from 2013 to 2019 with and without exposure to volatile anesthetics. Primary outcomes were ventilation duration and mortality. Secondary outcomes included patient characteristics, length of stay, and anesthetic-related adverse events. A subgroup analysis was performed evaluating children intubated ≥2 days.

RESULTS

Of 203 children included in study, there were 29 (14.3%) with and 174 (85.7%) without exposure to volatiles. No differences in odds of mortality (1.1, 95% CI: 0.3-3.9, p > .999) were observed. Subjects receiving volatiles experienced greater median difference in length of stay (4.8, 95% CI: 1.9-7.8 days, p < .001), ventilation duration (2.3, 95% CI: 1-3.3 days, p < .001), and odds of extracorporeal life support (9.1, 95% CI: 1.9-43.2, p = .009) than those without volatile exposure. For those ventilated ≥2 days, no differences were detected in mortality, ventilation duration, length of stay, arrhythmias, or acute renal failure. However, the odds of extracorporeal life support remained greater for those receiving volatiles (7.6, 95% CI: 1.3-44.5, p = .027). No children experienced malignant hyperthermia or hepatic failure after volatile exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

For intubated children for asthma, no differences in mechanical ventilation duration or mortality between those with and without volatile anesthetic exposure were observed. Although volatiles may represent a viable rescue therapy for severe cases of asthma, definitive, and prospective trials are still needed.

Heliox for Pediatric Critical Asthma: A Multicenter, Retrospective, Registry-Based Descriptive Study

BACKGROUND

In cases of critical asthma (CA), heliox may be applied as an adjunctive rescue therapy to avoid invasive mechanical ventilation (MV), improve deposition of aerosolized medications, and enhance laminar airflow through obstructed airways. Using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) registry, we evaluate heliox prescribing and explored for differences in MV rates and hospital length of stay (LOS) among children with and without heliox exposure.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using PHIS data from 42 pediatric intensive care units among children 5-17 years of age admitted for CA from 2010 through 2019. Primary outcomes were heliox prescribing rates and trends. Secondary outcomes were invasive MV rates and LOS assessed in a subgroup of children receiving ≥ 1 adjunctive intervention(s).

RESULTS

Of the 19,780 studied, heliox was prescribed in 12.5% and linearly declined from 16.1% in 2010 to 5.6% in 2019. The overall MV rate was 12.8% and was lower in subjects receiving heliox alone (4.9%) compared to heliox plus alternative adjunctive therapies [31.2%] or children receiving non-heliox adjunctive therapies [22.1%], P < .01). Accounting for MV, no difference in LOS was observed. In exploratory adjusted models, MV free hospitalization was associated with heliox-only exposure (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17-0.63, P < .01) and exposure to multiple adjunctive therapies was associated with MV (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.56-3.94, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicenter retrospective study from 42 children's hospitals, heliox prescribing for CA declined over the last decade. Subjects receiving multiple adjunctive therapies more commonly required invasive MV perhaps indicating a greater severity of illness. At this time, prospective trials needed to identify the role of heliox for pediatric CA.

Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal in the Treatment of Status Asthmaticus

OBJECTIVES

Venovenous extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal may be lifesaving in the setting of status asthmaticus.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Medical ICU.

PATIENTS

Twenty-six adult patients with status asthmaticus treated with venovenous extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Demographic data and characteristics of current and prior asthma treatments were obtained from the electronic medical record. Mechanical ventilator settings, arterial blood gases, vital signs, and use of vasopressors were collected from the closest time prior to cannulation and 24 hours after initiation of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal. Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal settings, including blood flow and sweep gas flow, were collected at 24 hours after initiation of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal. Outcome measures included rates of survival to hospital discharge, ICU and hospital lengths of stay, duration of invasive mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal support, and complications during extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal. Following the initiation of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal, blood gas values were significantly improved at 24 hours, as were peak airway pressures, intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure, and use of vasopressors. Survival to hospital discharge was 100%. Twenty patients (76.9%) were successfully extubated while receiving extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal support; none required reintubation. The most common complication was cannula-associated deep venous thrombosis (six patients, 23.1%). Four patients (15.4%) experienced bleeding that required a transfusion of packed RBCs.

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest series to date, use of venovenous extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal in patients with status asthmaticus can provide a lifesaving means of support until the resolution of the exacerbation, with an acceptably low rate of complications. Early extubation in select patients receiving extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal is safe and feasible and avoids the deleterious effects of positive-pressure mechanical ventilation in this patient population.

Acute severe asthma: management and treatment

Patients with acute asthma attack usually access the emergency room with severe functional impairment, despite low perception of symptoms. In this scenario, early functional assessment is essential focusing on vital parameters and respiratory function, alongside perceived dyspnea. Impairment of ventilatory mechanics due to progressive dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation should be promptly treated with medical inhalation and/or intravenous therapy, reserving intensive treatment in case of non-response and/or worsening of the clinical conditions. Therapeutic planning at patient's discharge is no less important than treatment management during emergency room access as educating the patient about therapeutic adherence significantly impact long-term outcomes of asthma. With this review we aim at exploring current evidence on acute asthma attack management, focusing of pharmacological and ventilatory strategies of care and highlighting the importance of patient education once clinical stability allows discharge from the emergency department.

High-flow nasal cannula and bilevel positive airway pressure for pediatric status asthmaticus: a single center, retrospective descriptive and comparative cohort study

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to describe patient characteristics and clinical outcomes for children hospitalized for status asthmaticus (SA) receiving high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP).

METHODS

We performed a single center, retrospective cohort study among 39 children admitted for SA aged 5-17 years from January 2016 to May 2019 to a quaternary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Cohorts were defined by BiPAP versus HFNC exposure and assessed to determine if differences existed in demographics, anthropometrics, comorbidities, asthma severity indices, historical factors, duration of noninvasive ventilation, and asthma-related clinical outcomes (i.e. length of stay, mechanical ventilation rates, exposure to concurrent sedatives/anxiolysis, and rate of adjunctive therapy exposure).

RESULTS

Thirty-three percent (n = 13) received HFNC (33%) and 67% (n = 26) BiPAP. Children receiving BiPAP had greater age (10.9 ± 3.7 vs. 6.8 ± 2.2 years, P < 0.01), asthma severity (proportion with severe NHLBI classification: 38% vs. 0%, P < 0.01; median pediatric asthma severity score: 13[12,14] vs. 10[9,12], P < 0.01), previous PICU admissions (62% vs. 15%, P = 0.01), frequency of prescribed anxiolysis/sedation (42% vs. 8%, P = 0.02), and median duration of continuous albuterol (1.7[1,3.1] vs. 0.9[0.7,1.6] days, P = 0.03) compared to those on HFNC. Those on HFNC more commonly were treated comorbid bacterial pneumonia (69% vs. 19%, P < 0.01). No differences in NIV duration, mortality, mechanical ventilation rates, or LOS were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest a trial of BiPAP or HFNC appears well tolerated in children with SA. Prospective trials are needed to establish modality superiority and identify patient or clinical characteristics that prompt use of HFNC over BiPAP.

Difficulty Ventilating: A Case Report on Ventilation Considerations of an Intubated Asthmatic Undergoing Air Medical Critical Care Transport

The air medical transport of intubated patients is a high-risk mission that requires preplanning before helicopter launch. This case describes a scenario in which the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) team was unable to ventilate a patient because of the mechanical limitations of the transport ventilator. The HEMS mission was ultimately aborted, and the patient had to be transported by a ground crew equipped with a hospital-based ventilator. In addition to the optimal medical management of the patient in status asthmaticus, critical care transport crews must be familiar with the treatment of patients exhibiting extremely high peak airway pressures. Specifically, ventilator manipulations as well as the technical specifications of the transport ventilator may preclude the patient from being transported by the HEMS team. It is imperative that the patient's current ventilator setting be evaluated before the launch of the aircraft to prevent any possible delays in patient care.

Physiologically variable ventilation in a rabbit model of asthma exacerbation

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation during status asthmaticus is challenging and increases the risk of severe complications. We recently reported the value of physiologically variable ventilation (PVV) in healthy and acutely injured lungs. We investigated whether PVV provides benefits compared with pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) in an experimental model of severe acute asthma.

METHODS

Allergen-sensitised rabbits were anaesthetised and randomised to either PCV (n=10) or PVV (n=12) during sustained bronchoconstriction induced by allergen and cholinergic stimuli for 6 h. The PVV pattern was generated from pre-recorded spontaneous breathing. Ventilation parameters, oxygenation index (PaO₂/FiO₂), and respiratory mechanics were measured hourly. Histological injury and inflammation were quantified after 6 h of ventilation.

RESULTS

PVV resulted in lower driving pressures (13.7 cm H₂O [12.5-14.9], mean [95% confidence interval]), compared with pressure-controlled ventilation (17.6 cm H₂O [15.4-19.8]; P=0.002). PVV improved PaO₂/FiO₂ (PVV: 55.1 kPa [52-58.2]; PCV: 45.6 kPa [39.3-51.9]; P=0.018) and maintained tissue elastance (PVV: +8.7% [-0.6 to 18]; PCV: -11.2% [-17.3 to -5.1]; P=0.03). PVV resulted in less lung injury as assessed by lower histological injury score (PVV: 0.65 [0.62-0.65]; PCV: 0.71 [0.69-0.73]; P=0.003), cell count (PVV: 247 10⁴ ml^-1 [189-305]; PCV: 447 10⁴ ml^-1 [324-570]; P=0.005), and protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (PVV: 0.14 μg ml^-1 [0.10-0.18]; PCV: 0.21 μg ml^-1 [0.15-0.27]; P=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

Applying physiological variable ventilation in a model of asthma exacerbation led to improvements in gas exchange, ventilatory pressures, and respiratory tissue mechanics, and reduced lung injury. A global reduction in lung shear stress and recruitment effects may explain the benefits of PVV in status asthmaticus.

Acute severe asthma requiring invasive mechanical ventilation in the era of modern resuscitation techniques: A 10-year bicentric retrospective study

Purpose

Patients with acute severe asthma (ASA) may in rare cases require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). However, recent data on this issue are lacking.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective and bicentric study conducted on a 10 year period, we investigate the in-hospital mortality in patients with ASA requiring IMV. We compare this mortality to that of patients with other types of respiratory distress using a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) model.

Results

Eighty-one episodes of ASA requiring IMV were evaluated. Factors significantly associated with in-hospital mortality were cardiac arrest on day of admission, cardiac arrest as the reason for intubation, absence of decompensation risk factors, need for renal replacement therapy on day of admission, and intubation in pre-hospital setting. Non-survivors had higher SAPS II, SOFA, creatinine and lactate levels as well as lower blood pressure, pH, and HCO₃ on day of admission. In-hospital mortality was 15% (n = 12). Compared to a reference population of 2,670 patients, the SMR relative to the SAPS II was very low at 0.48 (95% CI, 0.25–0.84). The only factor independently associated with in-hospital mortality was cardiac arrest on day of admission. In-hospital mortality was 69% in patients with cardiac arrest on day of admission and 4% in others (p < 0.01). Salvage therapies were given to 7 patients, sometimes in combination with each other: ECMO (n = 6), halogenated gas (n = 1) and anti-IL5 antibody (n = 1). Death occurred in only 2 of these 7 patients, both of whom had cardiac arrest on day of admission.

Conclusion

Nowadays, the mortality of patients with ASA requiring IMV is low. Death is due to multi-organ failure, with cardiac arrest on day of admission being the most important risk factor. In patients who did not have cardiac arrest on day of admission the mortality is even lower (4%) which allows an aggressive management.

Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal in heart-beating donor with acute severe asthma: A case report

Status asthmaticus is a life-threatening disorder that can manifest in dangerous levels of hypercapnia and acidosis. The use of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) has been used successfully to control pH and PaCO₂ in patients with acute severe asthma. The present report describes the use of this technology in near-fatal asthma with brain death, and awaiting organ harvest. The ProLUNG® system consists of a veno-venous hemoperfusion circuit with an artificial lung polymethylpentene membrane coated with phosphorylcholine with a surface of 1.81 m². The system can reach a blood flow of 450 ml/min trough a double-lumen central venous catheter (13.0 Fr) placed in femoral, subclavian or jugular vein. The platform is provided with automated management of airflow and VCO₂ monitoring during treatment. The patient was maintained on extracorporeal treatment ensuring stable arterial pH control and PaCO₂ control. In acute status asthmaticus, complicated with cardiac arrest, mini-invasive ECCO2R was an effective method of controlling pH and PaCO₂, for optimizing hemodynamic and aerobic metabolism and for performing protective ventilation for an optimal organ donor preservation until the organ harvest occurs.

Inflammatory and microbiological associations with near-fatal asthma requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has developed as a critical tool permitting lung protection in severe respiratory failure. Its use was largely confined to acute respiratory distress syndrome [1]; however, as technology has advanced, it is now used in a range of respiratory diseases, including asthma. In the context of near-fatal asthma exacerbations, ECMO provides a management strategy for difficult-to-ventilate patients who would otherwise be unlikely to survive. Importantly, in asthma, traditional mechanical ventilation strategies can be associated with volutrauma and barotrauma due to the high pressures required in the presence of severe bronchospasm [2]. To date, there is a paucity of data for ECMO use in acute asthma and it is unknown whether specific clinical or inflammatory characteristics are associated with the need for ECMO.

Patients with near-fatal asthma requiring ECMO are more likely to be younger and female and are also likely to have positive viral and fungal isolates on bronchoalveolar lavage when compared to those receiving conventional mechanical ventilationhttp://bit.ly/2S38SaC

High frequency percussive ventilation as a rescue mode for refractory status asthmaticus - a case study

INTRODUCTION

A severe asthma exacerbation is called status asthmaticus when symptoms worsen despite conventional medical treatment in the hospital. If arterial blood gas (ABG) values deteriorate and this is accompanied by respiratory muscle fatigue, the patient will require mechanical ventilation. However, mechanical ventilation of the severe asthmatic presents difficult challenges.

CASE STUDY

We report on High Frequency Percussive Ventilation (HFPV) used along with continuous inhaled albuterol and neuromuscular blockade, as rescue therapy for a case of acute, severe asthma that was refractory to conventional treatment and conventional mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS

This patient's arterial pH was 6.97 when we initiated HFPV, but ten hours post-intubation her ABG values normalized. She was successfully extubated six days later and discharged from ICU the following day.

CONCLUSION

This case describes the successful use of HFPV for a status asthmaticus patient failing conventional mechanical ventilation. We have anecdotal evidence of other medical centers using HFPV for these patients but larger studies are needed to verify its efficacy.

Acute Severe Asthma in Adolescent and Adult Patients: Current Perspectives on Assessment and Management

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease that is associated with variable expiratory flow, variable respiratory symptoms, and exacerbations which sometimes require hospitalization or may be fatal. It is not only patients with severe and poorly controlled asthma that are at risk for an acute severe exacerbation, but this has also been observed in patients with otherwise mild or moderate asthma. This review discusses current aspects on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of acute severe asthma exacerbations and provides the current perspectives on the management of acute severe asthma attacks in the emergency department and the intensive care unit.

An update on allergic emergencies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an updated framework of management for allergic emergencies.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most frequent causes of anaphylaxis include medications, foods, and stinging insects. Early and appropriate administration of epinephrine is critical to managing anaphylaxis. Although epinephrine is well tolerated and there is no absolute contraindication to using epinephrine in first-aid management of anaphylaxis, many patients at risk for anaphylaxis still fail to carry and use the medication prior to seeking emergency care. Outcomes of allergic emergencies can be improved by educational efforts that focus on adherence to emergency plans, as well as asthma controller treatments in patients with persistent asthma. Though venom immunotherapy is known to decrease the risk for stinging insect anaphylaxis, the role of emerging strategies for food allergen immunotherapy in reducing cases of anaphylaxis requires further study.

SUMMARY

Fatalities resulting from anaphylaxis and asthma are rare. Patient education serves an important role in preparing for unexpected emergencies, instituting prompt and appropriate treatment, and incorporating effective strategies into the lives of children and families.

Inhalation Techniques Used in Patients with Respiratory Failure Treated with Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation

The administration of aerosolized medication is a basic therapy for patients with numerous respiratory tract diseases, including obstructive airway diseases (OADs), cystic fibrosis (CF), and infectious airway diseases. The management and care for patients requiring mechanical ventilation remains one of the greatest challenges for medical practitioners, both in intensive care units (ICUs) and pulmonology wards. Aerosol therapy is often necessary for patients receiving noninvasive ventilation (NIV), which may be stopped for the time of drug delivery and administered through a metered-dose inhaler or nebulizer in the traditional way. However, in most severe cases, this may result in rapid deterioration of the patient's clinical condition. Unfortunately, only limited number of original well-planned studies addressed this problem. Due to inconsistent information coming from small studies, there is a need for more precise data coming from large prospective real life studies on inhalation techniques in patients receiving NIV.