External chest compression in the management of acute severe asthma--a technique in search of evidence.
Compelling anecdotal evidence exists for the potentially lifesaving benefits of mechanical external chest compression (MECC), but no published trials of the technique exist. The history and technique for MECC are discussed and illustrated by a case report. Although the technique is not discussed in the Resuscitation Guideline 2000, and the need for it within the intensive care unit has reduced, the use of MECC will have its greatest impact when initiated in the prehospital setting for patients suffering from severe, sudden-onset, asphyxic asthma.
Fisher
M M
MM
Intensive Therapy Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. mfisher@med.usyd.edu.au
Whaley
A P
AP
Pye
R R
RR
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013224:Status Asthmaticus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D013909:Thorax