title: Optimal pharmacologic treatment of the critically ill patient with obstructive airways disease.
abstract: There are few experimental data evaluating the effect of inhaled bronchodilator treatment in the critically ill patient in the intensive care unit. Extrapolating from the data that are available in chronic and acute asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) studies, it appears that both agents may be beneficial. Beta-adrenergic receptor agonists are first-line agents in asthma. However, anticholinergics may be valuable as additive agents or as single agents if the patient is intolerant of beta-adrenergic side effects. This may be especially important in the critically ill patient with multiple organ failure in whom excessive tachycardia may reduce oxygen delivery. Anticholinergics and beta 2-adrenergic agonists both appear to be beneficial in smoking-related chronic bronchitis. Finally, because of the severity of illness in the critical care setting, both drugs should be titrated to maximal effect when possible, monitoring closely for adverse effects of the larger than normal doses that are used.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, University of California, School of Medicine, Davis, Sacramento 95817, USA.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Siefkin
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016638:Critical Illness; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D009241:Ipratropium