title: Volatile agents to avoid ventilating asthmatics.
abstract: The management of six awake, spontaneously breathing patients with acute severe asthma who responded to a subanesthetic dose of an inhalational agent is described. All of these patients were on maximal medical treatment, the next intervention likely to be tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in the face of further deterioration. All six patients initially responded dramatically, although one required mechanical ventilation after initial response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baigel
mesh_terms: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006221:Halothane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D000077149:Sevoflurane
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D006221:Halothane