Ipratropium bromide and intraoperative bronchospasm.
BACKGROUND
Ipratropium bromide (IB) is a synthetic anticholinergic bronchodilator which is effective when administered by inhalation. Therefore, IB may be effective for the management of intraoperative bronchospasm. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of inhaled IB in the management of intraoperative bronchospasm induced by endotracheal intubation.


METHODS
Nine asthmatics who were asymptomatic preoperatively were investigated. They developed bronchospasm after endotracheal intubation. IB 120 micrograms was aerosolized through the endotracheal tube. Heart rate, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), airway resistance (Raw) and pulmonary resistance (Rpul) before and after IB administration were recorded and calculated.


RESULTS
IB 120 micrograms relieved wheezing in 11 +/- 4 min (mean +/- SD), and significantly decreased PIP in 5 min and reached peak effects at 120 minutes after administration. Raw and Rpul also decreased during similar time intervals. Heart rates had no significant change after IB administration.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study indicated that IB 120 micrograms could abate the intraoperative bronchospasm caused by airway hyperreactivity induced by endotracheal intubation in preoperatively asymptomatic asthmatic patients, and may have a role in the management of intraoperative bronchospasm.
Ho
W M
WM
Department of Anesthesiology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Wong
K C
KC
D000368:Aged; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D009241:Ipratropium