The bronchodilator effect of intravenous glucagon in asthma exacerbation: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Glucagon is a rapid-acting smooth muscle relaxant with a short half-life. Previous studies suggested glucagon may have bronchodilator effects. We sought to determine whether intravenous glucagon produces clinically important immediate bronchodilation in emergency department patients with asthma exacerbation.


METHODS
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at 2 university-affiliated community teaching hospital EDs (annual census 90,000). ED patients 18 to 50 years old with asthma exacerbation and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) less than 350 L/min were eligible. Exclusion criteria were need for intubation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, insulinoma, pheochromocytoma, pregnancy, lactation, or current oral steroid treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to receive glucagon 0.03 mg/kg or an equivalent volume of saline solution intravenously. At 10 minutes, PEFR was measured and all patients began standardized albuterol therapy. Successful bronchodilation was a PEFR increase of 60 L/min at 10 minutes.


RESULTS
Success occurred in 2 (9.5%) of 21 glucagon-treated patients and 3 (12%) of 25 placebo-treated patients (95% confidence interval [CI] for difference of -2.5% [-20.4% to 15. 4%]). Mean PEFR improvement for glucagon was 2 L/min versus 9 L/min for placebo (95% CI for difference of -7 L/min [-36 L/min to 23 L/min]).


CONCLUSIONS
Glucagon alone provided no clinically important immediate bronchodilation in ED patients with asthma exacerbation.
Wilber
S T
ST
Departments of Emergency Medicine, Summa Health System, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, of Medicine, Akron, OH, 44304, USA. wilbers@summa-health.org
Wilson
J E
JE
Blanda
M
M
Gerson
L W
LW
Meerbaum
S O
SO
Janas
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005934:Glucagon