Safety of continuous nebulized albuterol for bronchospasm in infants and children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of cardiotoxicity in infants and children who receive continuous nebulized albuterol (CNA) for bronchospasm.


METHODS
Prospective, case series.


METHODS
A university pediatric intensive care and pediatric subacute units.


METHODS
Nineteen infants and children who received CNA for at least 24 hours.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Creatinine phosphokinase (CK) was measured at the time of admission and then at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours while the patient received CNA. Isoenzyme CK-MB fractions were measured if CK concentration was > or = 250 IU/L. One electrocardiogram was obtained for each patient during CNA treatment. All patients had continuous cardiac monitoring during continuous nebulization therapy.


RESULTS
Creatinine phosphokinase levels remained within normal limits for 16 patients during CNA treatment. Three patients had elevated CK and in two CK-MB fractions were elevated at one measurement. None of the electrocardiograms showed evidence of ischemia and no arrhythmias were noted during CNA therapy, even in the patients with elevated CK-MB fractions.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous albuterol therapy appears to be safe in our patient population as there was no significant evidence of cardiotoxicity. The significance of the transient elevation of CK-MB without other evidence of cardiotoxicity remains to be determined.
Katz
R W
RW
Department of Pediatrics, School of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
Kelly
H W
HW
Crowley
M R
MR
Grad
R
R
McWilliams
B C
BC
Murphy
S J
SJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011446:Prospective Studies
D007527:Isoenzymes; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D000420:Albuterol