title: Heliox during mechanical ventilation.
abstract: The indications for heliox during mechanical ventilation are lower-airway obstruction, especially with hypercarbia; need to enhance aerosol delivery to lung periphery; and need to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation. Certain ventilators perform relatively well with heliox and are not substantially affected by it. It is preferable to connect the heliox to the air inlet of the ventilator, because this results in more consistent delivery of oxygen and tidal volume. When administering heliox, pay close attention and directly monitor the actual tidal volume and fraction of inspired oxygen.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 3705 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2583, USA. venkataramanst@ccm.upmc.edu
authors.forename: Shekhar T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Venkataraman
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006371:Helium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006612:High-Frequency Ventilation; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects; D015300:Ventilator Weaning
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D006371:Helium; C038949:heliox; D000420:Albuterol; D010100:Oxygen