title: Use of helium in the management of upper airway obstruction.
abstract: Inhalation therapy with the use of helium-oxygen has been advocated in the treatment of upper airway obstruction due to various causes. The therapeutic effect is secondary to a decrease in turbulent flow and airway resistance in areas of obstruction. We present a patient with acute respiratory failure secondary to upper airway obstruction caused by a tumor involving the distal trachea and proximal left mainstem bronchus. Despite assistance with a mechanical ventilator, the patient remained tachypneic and hypercarbic. Following institution of helium therapy, the patient became less short of breath and her carbon dioxide returned to a normal level. She was later weaned from mechanical ventilation and discharged from the hospital.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Medicine, Baylor Medical Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: T Q
authors.initials: TQ
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Thiele
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006371:Helium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006371:Helium; D010100:Oxygen