Effect of levalbuterol on prehospital patient parameters.
This study was performed to determine if levalbuterol improves dyspnea as assessed by prehospital clinical parameters. All EMS patients >or=16 years old given nebulized levalbuterol over 6 months were included in this prospective, open-label work. Data collected included demographics, initial pulse rate (P), respiratory rate (R), patient report of respiratory distress (S), and peak expiratory flow (PF). Outcome variables were P, R, S, and PF after levalbuterol use. Statistical analysis used t tests, with P <or=.05. One hundred forty-seven patients were enrolled. Mean age was 65.9 years (62.6% women). Significant decreases in P, R, and S, and a significant increase in PF, were noted after levalbuterol administration. Levalbuterol produces significant improvement in EMS respiratory patient parameters. Tachycardia does not appear to be a side effect of levalbuterol administration. The results support the use of levalbuterol in prehospital care.
Rodenberg
Howard
H
Volusia County Emergency Medical Service, Department of Human Factors and Systems, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32120, USA. AMDEMS@aol.com
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011674:Pulse; D012119:Respiration; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol