Continuous, noninvasive measurement of pulsus paradoxus in patients with acute asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a continuous, noninvasive measurement technique for pulsus paradoxus (PP) as an objective asthma severity indicator.


METHODS
Prospective, masked assessment of the relationship between PP, peak expiratory flow rate, oxygen saturation, clinical scoring, and admission decisions.


METHODS
An urban pediatric emergency department.


METHODS
Children with acute asthma.


METHODS
Standardized treatment per National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines.


METHODS
Peak expiratory flow rate, oxygen saturation, pulmonary index score, and masked disposition decision.


RESULTS
Significant positive correlations existed between PP and the pulmonary index score at the initial evaluation (r = 0.44; P < .001) and after 30 minutes (r = 0.51; P < .001) and 60 minutes (r = 0.45; P < .001). Significant negative correlations existed between PP and the percent predicted peak expiratory flow rate (r = -0.31; P = .01) and the oxygen saturation (r = -0.30; P = .02). The mean PP was significantly greater in patients who were admitted for further treatment at all time points (P = .003 or P = .002). At 30 minutes after presentation, a PP greater than 15 mm Hg predicted admission for further treatment or relapse; the sensitivity was 0.42, the specificity was 0.89, and the likelihood ratio was 3.86.


CONCLUSIONS
Our measurement technique for PP is a useful objective indicator of the severity of asthma. Pulsus paradoxus correlates with clinical score, peak expiratory flow rate, and oxygen saturation. Furthermore, an elevated PP is associated with the decision to admit a patient for further treatment. These results suggest that this technique may represent a useful research tool for the assessment of acute, severe asthma. Further development of the technology may allow for a clinical application.
Wright
R O
RO
Department of Pediatrics, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA.
Steele
D W
DW
Santucci
K A
KA
Natarajan
R
R
Jay
G D
GD
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D010100:Oxygen