Rapid response to inhaled frusemide in severe acute asthma with hypercapnia.
We report 7 patients with severe acute asthma unresponsive to standard medication, including sympathomimetic agents, aminophylline and corticosteroids, who responded to inhaled frusemide. All were hypercapneic with a mean PaCO2 of 7.7 kPa (57.7 mm Hg) [range 6.2-8.8 kPa (46.2-66.3 mm Hg)]. Following nebulization of 20 mg frusemide, clinical response was rapid, and the mean PaCO2 fell significantly to 5.4 kPa (40.6 mm Hg) [range 5.0-6.2 kPa (37.5-46.5 mm Hg)] within 20-60 min. No adverse effect was recognized. Inhaled frusemide should be considered for treatment of acute asthma refractory to conventional therapy.
Tanigaki
T
T
Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
Kondo
T
T
Hayashi
Y
Y
Katoh
H
H
Kamio
K
K
Urano
T
T
Ohta
Y
Y
D000208:Acute Disease; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005665:Furosemide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers
D004232:Diuretics; D005665:Furosemide