Use of helium-oxygen mixtures to relieve upper airway obstruction in a pediatric population.
OBJECTIVE
Helium as a component of inspired gas decreases turbulent flow and airway resistance. Helium-oxygen mixtures have been used since the 1930s in the management of patients with upper airway obstruction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of helium-oxygen mixtures in relieving upper airway obstruction in a pediatric population.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of 42 pediatric patients who received helium-oxygen mixtures for upper airway obstruction within a 3-year period.


METHODS
The study protocol included 42 pediatric patients, aged 1 week to 14 years, who were admitted to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from June 1997 to December 2000 and who received a total of 44 treatments of helium-oxygen therapy for upper airway obstruction. Response to treatment was determined by reduction in work of breathing noted on the chart.


RESULTS
Thirty-two of 44 helium-oxygen treatments resulted in a positive response (73%). There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between responders and nonresponders, except all of the premature infants were responders and 6 of the 9 patients with syndromes were nonresponders.


CONCLUSIONS
Helium-oxygen therapy is a useful adjunct therapy for upper airway obstruction. Controlled clinical trials are necessary to better define the appropriate settings for use of helium-oxygen.
Grosz
A H
AH
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Jacobs
I N
IN
Cho
C
C
Schears
G J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000403:Airway Resistance; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006371:Helium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000150:complications; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014939:Work of Breathing
D006371:Helium; C038949:heliox; D010100:Oxygen