[Intravenous infusion of reproterol (a beta-2-mimetic agent) in the therapy of severe asthma attacks in childhood].
20 children (age range 0.8-14.7 years) with acute severe asthma were alternately randomized to receive one of two different treatment regimes. 10 children (control-group) received Salbutamol inhalation (75 micrograms/kg in 2 ml Saline every two hours). 10 children (reproterol-group) received reproterol infusion (0.2-2.0 micrograms/kg/min in Saline) and inhaled Saline only. Other therapy regimen were identical in both groups: Theophylline infusion, i.v. Prednisolone, adequate fluids intake and oxygen insufflation. Age, severity and maintenance therapy of asthma, and severity of the acute episode, were not significantly different in both groups. Treatment efficacy, assessed with a simple clinical score, the heart and respiratory rates, the peak expiratory flow (PEF) and the blood gases, was comparable in both groups. Side effects, i.e. tachycardia, blood pressure changes and tremor, were also similar and clinically not relevant in both groups. In two children, who previously needed repeated mechanical ventilation, severe respiratory failure could be successfully controlled only when the reproterol dose was raised 10 folds (2.0 micrograms/kg/min). Reproterol infusion can be recommended in children with acute severe asthma, who do not respond satisfactorily to current therapy regimen, particularly in children who previously experienced numerous intubations.
D000293:Adolescent; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D009921:Metaproterenol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D013806:Theophylline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C014792:reproterol; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009921:Metaproterenol; D011239:Prednisolone; D013806:Theophylline; D000420:Albuterol; D010100:Oxygen
Intravenöse Infusion von Reproterol (ein Beta-2-Mimetikum) in der Therapie des schweren Asthma-Anfalls im Kindesalter.