Pulmonary lavage in a patient in status asthmaticus receiving mechanical ventilation: a case report.
Allergy and/or contraindications for theophylline and adrenergic drugs can be a life-threatening problem for patients with respiratory failure resulting from status asthmaticus. Mucous plugs and secretions in smaller bronchi can further complicate the problem. A patient in status astmaticus complicated by mucous impaction is described in whom pulmonary lavage was performed through a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope using a solution containing 250 ml normal saline, 30 ml 20% acetylcysteine, 0.5 ml Bronkosol and 125 mgm Solu-Medrol. Lavage was done twice at 24-hour intervals; extubation was accomplished within 48 hours after first lavage. This treatment resulted in remarkable improvement and proved to be life saving. The result suggests that this procedure is a useful therapeutic method and can be life saving in selected patients with respiratory failure.
D000628:Aminophylline / Q000009:adverse effects; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D000628:Aminophylline; D013806:Theophylline